PHILIPPINE National Police Director General Oscar Albayalde does not want to see vagrants, or “istambays,” loitering in the streets during late hours.

Albayalde said that it is for the safety of the public, as loiterers may cause trouble in the community.

“I think nag-react naman yung mga kababayan natin kasi di naman talaga maganda yung naka-standby tayo sa gabi lalong-lao na sa mga delikado lugar. This is for their safety also. Baka mamaya, pagkamalan yan sa mga kritikal na lugar, may dumaan na pulis nakastandby ka pagkamalan ka kasi dahil alam ng pulis na yung lugar na yun kaya nga pina-patrolyahan ay napaka-delikado (People who hang out in critical areas late at night may be mistaken for criminal elements by patrolling police so we want to keep them safe),” Albayalde said.

He also pointed out that there’s a law against vagrancy.

“This is all for everybody’s good. Hindi ito para kung kani-kanino lang. Pag binabawal yung isang estambay talagang may batas naman kasi wag na nating ipilit yun. Meron yan hindi ka pwedeng pakalat kalat sa kalsada,” he said.

Article 202 of the Revised Penal Code tackles vagrancy but it was decriminalized in 2012 under Republic Act 10158.

However, some local government units have ordinances against loitering in the streets. (JOB)