More than 5,000 ‘tambays’ nabbed in 5-day police drive in Metro Manila

NCRPO Director Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar

In just a matter of five days, Metro Manila police have arrested more than 5,000 “tambays” or nighttime idlers in the capital.

According to the data sent to the media by National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) regional director Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar on Monday, the five Metro Manila police districts have arrested as many as 5,575 violators of city ordinances from 5 a.m. of June 13 to 5:30 p.m. of June 18.

This is an average of 1,115 arrests per day.

The Eastern Police District (EPD)—which covers the cities of Pasig, Marikina, Mandaluyong and San Juan—posted the highest number of “tambays” with 1,805 arrests.

The Southern Police District—which covers the cities of Makati, Taguig, Pasay, Muntinlupa, Parañaque and Las Piñas—closely follows with 1,427.

The Quezon City Police District ranked third with 926, followed by the Manila Police District with 709 and Northern Police District (NPD) with 708.

The NPD covers the cities of Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela.

The crackdown against “tambays” came after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered authorities on Wednesday to get rid of people loitering in streets, especially at night.

Philippine National Police chief Dir. Gen. Oscar D. Albayalde said there was nothing new in the police’s crackdown against nighttime idlers, noting they were just implementing local ordinances.

He, however, clarified that policemen would only arrest those who violate any local ordinances, such as drinking, smoking or urinating in public places; illegal peddling; littering; breaching peace and order; and concealing deadly weapons.

But despite the wide arrests in Metro Manila, Albayalde said the PNP has yet to issue a set of guidelines, which would be issued within the week.

The new campaign against nighttime idlers has drawn public criticisms, with some lawmakers noting that the order was reminiscent of martial law./ac