A YOUTH group in Cagayan de Oro is denouncing the government's anti-“tambay” crackdown, saying being tambay (loiterer) is common and has become a culture in Filipino households.
Pong Tong Espinosa, spokesperson of the Macabalan Youth United Organization, said if the government's intention is really to reduce crime, the solution is not to target tambays.
Espinosa said he grew up in Macabalan, which he described is a place for loiterers, and being a tambay once in their barangay helped him get to where he is now, a youth leader.
“I can say that being a tambay is a good recreational activity for me, it helps me to socialize and build good relationship and friendships with my neighbors and classmates,” he said.
Espinosa pointed out that there are still “good tambays” and “bad tambays,” who are likely be the ones to cause trouble.
He said only those causing problems in the community and are actually violating barangay or city ordinance should be arrested, and not the mere tambays who are just outside their houses and getting a fresh air.
“I still fear this particular order especially that we are under martial law, and who knows what the apprehending officers would do? Are they really arresting those violators or just targeting those persons who have something against them,” he said.
“But if this plan will really push through, we the youth of Macabalan will follow the rules and we might have to adjust, but they must put in mind that some of us might have an important purpose why we are outside our homes. For example in my case, I stay out late because we have meetings with my organizations. And what about those students who have group studies, who have dance practice late at night, are the police arresting them too?” he said.
The Macabalan Youth United is under the umbrella of Kabataan Partylist-Northern Mindanao.
The group, in a press conference Tuesday, June 26, said they continue to stand against martial law and condemns the continuing and intensifying attacks on people.
The group said Duterte's regime is building a “tambay factory” wherein, in a span of only a week, almost 8,000 tambays were already arrested “which only proves that Duterte would rather criminalize poverty than sincerely end its root causes”.
“Instead of improving the quality and access to education, Duterte's solution to the looming education crisis is to get rid of those who cannot afford it by putting them behind bars. Instead of investing in teachers, schools, and books, he is investing in guards, prisons, and jail cells. Instead of solving the bigger problem he is focused on ensuring that the smaller ones are highlighted instead,” the Kabataan Partylist said.