Police ‘rescue’ 142 beggars in Quezon City

MANILA, Philippines — Police have started the roundup of beggars to clear the streets of Metro Manila during the holidays.

At least 142 beggars were “rescued” in police operations in Quezon City on Tuesday night, according to Director Guillermo Eleazar, chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

The beggars, 68 of whom are children, were rounded up in Barangays Pinyahan, Kamuning, Sacred Heart, Central and South Triangle.

The mendicants were turned over to the Jose Fabella Center in Mandaluyong City after they underwent profiling and counselling.

Aside from Manila, Eleazar earlier identified Quezon City as one of the areas with a high number of beggars.

The NCRPO had received reports that a large number of Aetas and Badjaos were roaming the streets of Metro Manila begging for alms.

Eleazar clarified that the roundup of beggars and street children is not a crackdown on the poor.

Police are merely implementing Presidential Decree 1563 or the Anti-Mendicancy Law, he said.

“It’s dangerous for them to be on the streets. They also obstruct the flow of traffic,” Eleazar said.