Duterte hits IBP head for questioning anti-tambay drive

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte criticized Saturday night Integrated Bar of the Philippines president Abdiel Fajardo for questioning his directive to the police to clear the streets of tambays or loiterers after concerns were raised by human rights activists.

Duterte reiterated the need for the government to step up addressing criminality during his speech at the inauguration of the Malayan Colleges Mindanao in Matina, Davao City.

“Pati itong mga human rights, sira ulo, pati itong president ng IBP. Look guys, if you are the president of the IBP. There is no need for a law for me to order the clearing of the streets,” he said.

Addressing Fajardo, Duterte invoked his mandate and his role under the Parens Patria, the power of the state to act as parents for individuals.   

Fajardo said the President’s verbal order is not enough to justify the police operations to go after tambays.

“If I say arrest and take into custody the young people, that is well within my Parens Patria (father of the nation), to protect them from crime that they are being used as courier,” Duterte said.

“They are young (and) because of their tender age, we have to take them out of the streets, and place them overnight in the barangays and safe places. After that they are returned to their parents,” he added.

Duterte also challenged the IBP president and other critics to bring to the Supreme Court his directive.

“Nothing is wrong with that. You can bring me to the Supreme Court,” he said, explaining further that the authority comes “under police power of the state to protect its own citizens.”

“I don’t know where you got your theory,” the President added, addressing the IBP president. “Do not deprive government and reduce us to inutility.”   

“My duty, their duty – the police and the military and everybody else’s – our duty is to protect (the people),” the President added.