46,366 tambays nabbed in Metro Manila over past month

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 46,366 individuals were rounded up for violating local ordinances on smoking, drinking and urinating in public places; curfew and being half-naked on the streets in Metro Manila over the past month, an official said yesterday.

National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) director Chief Superintendent Guillermo Eleazar said the 46,366 persons were apprehended from June 13 to July 12.

After receiving flak for its campaign to round up tambays or loiterers, the Philippine National Police (PNP) started referring to them as ordinance violators.

President Duterte ordered the PNP to accost tambays, saying they are potential troublemakers, on June 13.

Eleazar said a total of 5,626 people were accosted for drinking in public places, while 15,473 persons were collared for violating the smoking ban and 6,925 individuals for being half-naked on the streets.

He said 7,174 minors were rounded up for violating curfew and 11,167 people were also taken to police stations for violating other ordinances.

The NCRPO said the Eastern Police District, which has jurisdiction over the cities of Pasig, Mandaluyong, Marikina and San Juan, accosted the most number of tambays at 21,374, followed by the Southern Police District with 8,675 and Manila Police District with 6,423.

The Quezon City Police District recorded 5,871 persons accosted for violating ordinances and the Northern Police District rounded up 4,023.

Eleazar clarified that of the 46,366 individuals rounded up, 27,851 or 60.07 percent were considered first-time violators and were merely warned about their violations while 13,179 or 28.42 percent were fined and the rest were charged.

PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said while critics allege that the campaign is anti-poor, “many of our kababayans are happy, especially those working at night.”