627 held in Manila, QC for ordinance violations

MANILA, Philippines —  At least 627 persons were rounded up in Manila and Quezon City for allegedly violating various city ordinances since Sunday.

The Philippine National Police, after receiving flak for its campaign against loiterers or tambays, said persons arrested on the street should be called violators of local ordinances.

Most of the 448 persons arrested in Manila violated ordinances against being shirtless in public, drinking in public, illegal gambling and smoking, Manila Police District (MPD) spokesman Superintendent Erwin Margarejo said.

The MPD also arrested 10 drug suspects and seized 14 sachets of shabu.

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD), meanwhile, rounded up at least 179 persons since Sunday for violating city ordinances, among them drinking liquor and smoking in public, being half-naked on the street, jaywalking and carrying deadly weapons.

The QCPD also arrested 15 drug suspects.