PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, June 25, told his critics who have strongly opposed his campaign to clear the streets of loiterers, especially those who are potential troublemakers, to take his place and solve the problem in one year.
Duterte also told the police to continue enforcing his order to go after the "tambays" or loiterers
"We call them istambay. That's the word. That is my order. And you continue to frisk people who are there sa daldalan, and that is illegal. Until such time, that is my order," the President said.
(We call them bystanders. That's the word. That is my order. And you continue to frisk people who are there loitering in the streets, and that is illegal. Until such time, that is my order.)
"Do not believe in criticisms. Do not read it. It's none of your business to be reading what you're talking about. It's our business to follow what we are ordered to do," he added.
The President gave the directive after Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde earlier Monday told all police units to drop the term "tambay" so as not to confuse the public about the objective of the campaign.
Albayalde said the campaign is aimed at going after individuals who have violated the law and local ordinances, not mere loiterers.
Read: Term 'tambay' is out, police chief reiterates
Duterte, in his speech in Cagayan de Oro City Monday evening, said his anti-loitering campaign would proceed, unless the Supreme Court rules that his order is "illegal."
The President said he would let his critics take his place for a year and solve the problems that might be created by loiterers.
"Ayaw nila ng [polisiya laban sa] tambay kasi ganoon daw, [labag sa] Constitution. P*****, mas marunong pa kayo," the President said in a speech delivered during the oath-taking of Northern Mindanao's newly-elected village chairmen in Cagayan de Oro City.
(They do not want [the policy against] loiterers because it was allegedly [against the] Constitution. Son of a.... You think you are brighter.)
"Kung ganoon, pumunta kayo sa Malacañang, kayo ang paupuin ko. I'll give you one year to sit down and solve the problem. Puro lang kayo daldal," he added.
(If that's the case, go to Malacañang, I'll let you assume my post. I'll give you one year to set down and solve the problem. You just keep on yakking.)
Duterte made the remark three days after he clarified that his instruction to the Philippine National Police (PNP) was to merely accost and not arrest loiterers.
The President's drive against loitering was widely criticized, after more than 11,000 individuals have been apprehended or accosted in Metro Manila.
The PNP earlier said that individuals being arrested during their anti-loitering operation were those who violated the curfew ordinance and other ordinances that prohibit drinking liquor in public, smoking in public places, and being shirtless in the streets.
Also reportedly apprehended were illegal vendors, illegal barkers, and traffic code violators.
Duterte's crackdown on loiterers prompted the Commission on Human Rights to open an investigation. Some opposition lawmakers from the Senate and the House of Representatives have also called for an investigation, following the death of Genesis Argoncillo, an alleged bystander who was arrested for being shirtless and who died while in police custody.
Malacañang earlier said Duterte's anti-loitering campaign was a deterrent to crimes.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said earlier Monday that the executive department welcomes any probe, as there was nothing wrong with Duterte's policy against loiterers.
"We always welcome any congressional inquiry. Wala pong tinatago [ang ehekutibo]," Roque said.
(We always welome any congressional inquiry. [The executive branch] is not hiding anything.) (SunStar Philippines)