Arresting tambays is ‘anti-poor,’ says Robredo
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday expressed opposition against the Duterte administration’s recent campaign to arrest loiterers or tambays.
Robredo said the directive to arrest tambays is “anti-poor.”
The vice president made the comment after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the police to go after loiterers in the streets.
Due to this, Robredo urged the community leaders and lawyers to team up and avoid violation of human rights from happening.
“Nananawagan tayo na alamin kung ano iyong mga dapat gawin kapag mayroong danger na magiging biktima tayo—hindi lang iyong mga ordinaryong mamamayan, pero lalong lalo na iyong mga community leaders. Paano sila makakatulong? Iyong mga abogado, pinapakiusapan natin na maggrupo na, para magtulong-tulong sa pagsugpo nito,” Robredo was quoted in her weekly radio show, BISErbisyong LENI.
“Ayaw na nating maulit uli iyong lahat na mga karahasan na nangyari noong kasagsagan nga ng anti-drug war,” she added.
Robredo lamented how such directive sets aside the legislative act on the matter. She said it seems that the order to arrest loiterers gives law enforcers right to abuse.
She cited that these abuses were already seen during the crackdown on illegal drug users.
“Iyong bangungot na pinagdaanan natin noon, huwag na nating hayaan pang maulit muli. Kasi lalong hindi tayong nakikialam lalong maraming karahasan na mangyayari,” Robredo said.
Robredo added that contradicting statements only cause confusion.
Aside from Robredo, several sectors have questioned Duterte’s statement that prompted the Philippine National Police to arrest tambays.
Duterte challenged those who criticized his crackdown on tambays to file a case before the Supreme Court.
The president earlier clarified that he never ordered crackdown on tambays. He said he just wanted to deter crime by reducing the number of loiterers in the streets of Metro Manila and the rest of the country.
He said he was just concerned over the latest surveys that showed the public is worried about the increase of street crimes. — Rosette Adel
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