58 TBS members held for Mendiola riots

MANILA, Philippines — Proving his allegation that the True Brown Style group has been involved in criminal activities, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said 58 TBS members were among the over 200 people arrested for instigating riots during the Sept. 21 protest in Mendiola, Manila last year.

Remulla said yesterday police identified members of the community-based gang through an extensive investigation.

“We looked into the entire hierarchy of TBS Manila. Nakita namin na kasama talaga sila roon,” Remulla told reporters.

Police said the figure does not include the 13 TBS members who have been arrested in Metro Manila since 2024 for various crimes such as illegal drugs, illegal possession of deadly weapons and theft.

Remulla has accused the TBS of recruiting minors to become criminals, ordering recruits to rob convenience stores as a form of initiation.

“TBS is a force of chaos now, but they can be a force of good kung magbago sila,” he said.

Remulla is planning to hold a dialogue with TBS chapters, starting in his home province of Cavite, to urge them to change their ways.

“We have to reach out, reform, re-educate them on how to be productive members of society,” he said.

Despite his plan to talk with TBS leaders, Remulla maintained that law enforcement operations against members of the group who are involved in crimes will not stop.