OVER 300 street “tambays” (loafers) were arrested in Quezon City within the past 24 hours in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s call to beef up operations to maintain peace and order nationwide, Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Chief Superintendent Joselito Esquivel said Sunday, June 17.

Esquivel said that from 5 a.m. of June 16 until 5 a.m. of June 17, 344 violators of city ordinances were apprehended.

He said among the laws and city ordinances that were violated were the no-smoking policy in public areas, no drinking of liquor in public places, curfew and roaming the streets half naked or without upper clothing.

“The arrest of the suspects came following the pronouncement of President Rodrigo Duterte and directives from the PNP higher headquarters to rid the streets of tambays in a bid to lessen crime and maintain peace and order,” said Esquivel.

Earlier, Duterte ordered the law enforcers to intensify anti-criminality operations particularly by ordering street loiterers especially at night time to go home and if they do not follow, he will be the one to deal with them.

Esquivel said in La Loma, five persons were apprehended for drinking alcoholic beverages in a public place while six were arrested for the same offense in Novaliches. Police confiscated a knife from one of those arrested in Novaliches.

In Masambong, 97 persons including 35 minors were brought to the police station for smoking and drinking liquor in public places, others were roaming half naked. The minors on the other hand violated discipline hours.

Esquivel said 31 other minors were rescued in Talipapa, Fairview, Batasan and Cubao.

He said 22 persons were arrested in Batasan for smoking in public places, four in Cubao and Project 8, 14 in Anonas, 59 in Kamuning, 44 in Galas and six in Eastwood for drinking liquor in public place and for roaming around without upper garment.

He said the arrested persons were brought to police stations for proper disposition.

“Let us maintain the intensified implementation of ordinances,” he said.

Meanwhile, Manila Police District spokesperson Superintendent Erwin Margarejo said a total of 156 violators of similar crimes were apprehended in Manila area during the said period. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo/SunStar Philippines)