CHIEF Superintendent John Bulalacao, director of Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO–6), during his visit in Bacolod City on Thursday, has clarified that street loiterers, or “tambays,” in Western Visayas will not be arrested unless they violate city ordinances.
Bulalacao said loiterers and minors who are not doing anything wrong will just be warned and told to go home.
But, if you are loitering uncomfortably or threatening people, you will be accosted by the police,” he added.
Bulalacao said that the things that are being implemented in Metro Manila in relation to street loiterers will also be implemented in the region to keep the community safe from undesirable acts from individuals.
However, we should also read between the lines, he added, claiming that in some cities and municipalities, there are city ordinances that are not yet implemented such as anti-nudity, or drinking on streets.
In Bacolod City, the city government has passed a city ordinance on the curfew for minors, which the police are strictly implementing.
Bulalacao said he has yet to receive adverse reports about arrests of loiterers in the region. He assured that despite the order of the national headquarters, policemen will not violate the rights of individuals.
Earlier, Senior Superintendent Francisco Ebreo, acting director of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), said that the city police force will be cautious about it.
They are still waiting for the guidelines from the higher headquarters for its implementation but there have been no arrests yet in the city since its implementation in Luzon a few weeks ago.