INTERIOR and Local Government Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Martin Diño said on Friday, June 22, that barangay (village) officials should spearhead the campaign to clear the streets of "tambays" or loiterers with the police serving only as back-up.
Diño said that under the Local Government Code of the Philippines, it is the barangay’s obligation to conduct patrolling and clear their communities of street loiterers.
“Malinaw sa Local Government Code yan, obligasyon ni kapitan na ipatupad kamukha ng city ordinance na bawal pag inom ng alak, ordinansa ng MMDA (Metro Manila Development Authority) na bawal nakahubad tapos ‘yung ating batas na bawal manigarilyo, pati curfew ng minors obligasyon ng barangay yan,” he said.
(The Local Government Code clearly provides that it is a barangay captain's obligation to enforce city ordinances, such as those prohibiting drinking of liquor, and the Metro Manila Development Authority ordinances that prohibit being shirtless in public and smoking, as well as the curfew for minors.)
“At yan dapat nandyan lang katulong namin ang pulis,” he added.
He said the punishment for those who will be arrested for violating city ordinances will also depend on what the barangay council would agreed on.
Diño challenged the barangay officials, especially those newly elected, to step up and lead the anti-loiterers drive for the safety of their constituents and peace in their area of responsibility.
“Ginusto n’yo maging barangay captain panindigan nyo ang pagiging kapitan, linisin n’yo barangay n’yo. Kapag hindi n’yo ginawa may kaakibat na kaparusahan yan na pwede kayo masuspindi ng matagal tagal sa pwesto for dereliction of duty,” he said.
(Do your duty as barangay captain. Clean up your barangay. Failure to do so could get you suspended for dereliction of duty.)
Diño made the statement amid the intensified operations of the Philippine National Police (PNP) against loiterers violating city ordinances.
The PNP beefed up operations to clear the communities of "tambays" on orders of President Rodrigo Duterte, who wants to make the streets safer.
Some lawmakers and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) have criticized the campaign and raised concern over possible violation of human rights.
On Tuesday, June 19, a detainee at the Novaliches Police Station in Quezon City died after he was mauled by fellow detainees inside the facility. Argoncillo was initially reported to have been arrested for loitering shirtless on June 15, but police said he was arrested over alarm and scandal. (SunStar Philippines)