Bring IDs, NCRPO tells pedestrians, commuters

MANILA, Philippines — Pedestrians and commuters, particularly those who travel at night, should bring along identification (ID) cards to prevent police from whisking them off to detention centers for violating city ordinances, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said yesterday.

The NCRPO issued the statement even as Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde ordered all PNP units to intensify the enforcement of laws and local government ordinances to prevent street crimes nationwide.

Albayalde directed all regional directors to oversee the arrest of violators of ordinances such as the curfew for minors and those prohibiting drinking and smoking in public places, being shirtless in public and using karaoke beyond the allowed time.

“Be reminded that among our operational thrusts is the active presence and aggressive deployment of our policemen as an urgent intervention to prevent the occurrence of common street crimes,” he said in a memorandum dated June 20.

Police have rounded up more than 10,000 persons in a drive against tambays – whom the PNP insisted be called “violators of local ordinances” – since President Duterte said police should “pick up” loiterers last June 14.

The PNP said only about 100 remain in custody while the rest have paid their fines and were released.

Albayalde said the PNP will coordinate with barangay officials in enforcing ordinances and initiating the enactment of ordinances through the local peace and order councils in areas where there are no existing ordinances to support the PNP’s anti-crime drive.

Addressing jail congestion

NCRPO director Chief Superintendent Guillermo Eleazar said he called a command conference yesterday to address congestion in jails to prevent deaths similar to that of Genesis Argoncillo, who died while detained at the Quezon City Police District Station 4.

He said one of the suggestions to prevent people arrested for violating city ordinances from being jailed was for people traveling at night to bring ID cards.

Eleazar said he ordered police officers not to arrest tambays but only those violating local ordinances.

He said holders of ID cards would be immediately released once they are proven that they do not have a criminal record.

“What we are thinking is to release those found to be first offenders but not before their names are taken for record purposes. But they must present ID cards to prove their true identities,“ Eleazar explained.

“By showing their IDs and not resisting arrest or shouting invectives at policemen, they are showing good faith so we must reciprocate by releasing them,” he added.

 However, Eleazar pointed out that those who commit succeeding offenses would be jailed and charged in court.

“We will not be forgiving of frequent violators,” he stressed.

Eleazar said the QCPD’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit has yet to submit its report on Argoncillo’s death. He earlier promised to cooperate with the Commission on Human Rights in its investigation.