97 litterbugs nabbed in Makati, Manila

A total of 97 persons were apprehended in Makati and Manila for violating ordinances against littering and urinating in public.

In Makati, a total of 78 persons were arrested last week for throwing trash in the city's main roads and violating an ordinance mandating waste segregation in homes and commercial establishments.

In Manila, 19 persons were nabbed yesterday by elements of the City Hall Detachment of the Western Police District as Mayor Lito Atienza ordered a renewed campaign against littering and urinating in public places.

The litterbugs in Makati were sent to a one-day seminar on caring for the environment and the various city ordinances and programs on waste management and cleanliness.

First time offenders of the Makati ordinance against littering were fined P200 each, while the owners of houses and commercial establishments were made to pay from P500 to P2,000 for not complying with the ordinance on waste segregation.

Mayor Elenita Binay said the Task Force Solid Waste Monitoring Team apprehended the litterbugs at Gil Puyat, JP Rizal and Kalayaan Avenues.

Those arrested in Manila were presented to Atienza yesterday. The three suspects arrested for urinating in public were nabbed just a few meters away from city hall.

"Akala ninyo dahil abala ang mga pulis namin sa pagpapatrulya ay hindi na kayo mahuhuli kapag nagkalat kayo o umihi sa kung saan-saan. Diyan kayo nagkamali," Atienza told the suspects, as he commended the arresting officers for their vigilance and diligence in enforcing the law.

"That is how a police officer should think. Whether it's a minor violation or a major crime, the law should always be enforced," Atienza said.