29,563 tambays rounded up in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 29,563 individuals were rounded up in Metro Manila over the past 21 days for violating city ordinances, an official said yesterday.

After receiving criticism for its campaign against loiterers or tambays, the Philippine National Police started referring to people arrested on the street as violators of city ordinances.

The National Capital Region Police Office accosted the violators from June 13 to 5 a.m. on July 4, NCRPO director Chief Superintendent Guillermo Eleazar said.

On June 13, President Duterte said he wanted loiterers, whom he believed to be potential troublemakers, rounded up.

The Eastern Police District rounded up the most number of violators at 12,780 or 43.23 percent, followed by the Southern Police District with 6,155 or 20.82 percent, he said.

The Quezon City Police District ranked third with 4,479 or 15.15 percent, followed by the Manila Police District with 3,291 or 11.13 percent and the Northern Police District with 2,858 or  9.67 percent.

Of the 29,563 arrested, 4,264 or 14.42 percent were rounded up for drinking in public places; 8,971 or 30.35 percent for violating the smoking ban and 4,379 or 14.81 percent for being half-naked in public.

Eleazar said 5,089 minors or 17.21 percent were accosted for violating curfew hours and 6,860 others or 23.20 percent for violating other ordinances.

He urged the public to support the police in its effort to make the community safe by providing information to the police.