THERE'S nothing new about the Philippine National Police's (PNP's) Anti-Tambay operation in Davao City, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said, citing the regular Oplan Sita by the Davao City Police Office (DCPO).

“Especially if there are suspicious-looking individuals [they are called out]. And if others are already drunk and rowdy, they are assisted to go home or to sober up. Those are the things that the policemen in Davao City had already been doing although it is called differently,” said the city mayor during a press conference in her office yesterday, June 22.

She added that since Anti-Tambay is a directive of the PNP cascaded down to the DCPO level, she assured the support of the city government of Davao.

“However, if they have a new directive, where implementation parameters will already be present, then we will welcome that,” Duterte-Carpio said.

The Police Regional Office (PRO) had earlier assured the public that Anti-Tambay Operations have legal bases.

“The implementation and enforcement of these ordinances are covered by laws and ensures the guideline based on the Police Operational Procedures aligned with our community and human rights based policy, respecting the rights of everyone that includes the loiterers, and are done with prudence and done with the highest degree of restraint,” said PRO Davao spokesperson Chief Inspector Milgrace Driz in an earlier interview.

She added the Anti-Tambay Operation of PNP seeks to reduce crime at nighttime and to protect the communities.

The operation also seeks to implement simultaneously the laws on anti-smoking, anti-nuisance, and sobriety. It also keeps an eye on men going around half-naked and urinating in public places.