Standby
There were late nights when no transportation was available to ferry me from the highway to our interior subdivision, my only option was to walk. It's more than a kilometer to our house. The walk led me to meet a lot of people, most of them out in the streets talking with their neighbor. Others clinked their glasses, bonding over alcohol. Many were also just there to talk, typical Filipino culture.
Whenever I passed by them, I nod and give my nightly greetings. It gave me a sense of relief knowing that there are still people who can still see me if in case anything happened to me. Gladly, there was no incident up to today. I always believed it because of the "kuyas" who were outside watching every move of the quiet street. I gained friends on my way home. Now that I barely walk that way, these people still give their regards whenever we see each other.
The police have been lately busy doing rounds of the city in to apprehend and rescue people who are out at night and the wee hours of the morning. They called it "oplan tambay" specifically intended for those who will be classified as a "tambay." These are people who are out late at night with no official business. This means that the cultural activity of hanging out at night could now be kissed goodbye.
Is there a set of data saying that most of the crimes were committed by those defined as "tambays"? I hope so. Although there are ordinances in different areas regulating loitering in the wee hours of the morning, I always believe that it is a case-to-case basis. We cannot suppress people from enjoying their right to be outside with their peers; if and only if they have disturbed others' right to rest. It is a give and take cycle. There is no hard and fast rule. We are bound by rules but there is a bit of freedom that we all enjoy.
Taking away people from the streets gives me a sense of fear. Those who have untoward plans at night will be successful noting that there will be no witnesses to their crime. Nobody will watch their neighbors walk down the alley if they need to leave for work at dawn. Intended victims will have no help from eyewitnesses. Criminals will likely to succeed and peace now becomes a subject for debate. CCTV cameras may help at some point but there is a difference compared to a naked eye that saw it all.
Should the focus of the law enforcers be on the "tambays?" or are there some other issues that need attention? The answer is simply obvious but we live in a time where an executive word needs to be followed. Although it may seem unreasonable for now, there might be sense behind this all. Just like any other program, the hype may also die in a natural death. Let's see.
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