After six men waiting for a friend outside his house in Makati City were arrested and detained when they were mistaken for “tambays” (loiterers), the Philippine National Police (PNP) said written guidelines would be issued within the week for clarification.
PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde explained on Monday that the police had been using city ordinances to implement President Rodrigo Duterte’s order, arresting nearly 3,000 in less than a week in Metro Manila alone.
The directive, however, has drawn flak from human rights advocates for being reminiscent of abusive and arbitrary policies enforced during martial law.
‘Victim’ posts on FB
On Sunday, Matt Nanaramid said in a viral Facebook post that he and his companions were detained by Makati policemen who chanced upon them as they were waiting for a friend outside his house.
Senior Supt. Rogelio Simon, Makati police chief, confirmed to the Inquirer that Nanaramid’s account was true.
He said that SPO1 James Teaño, who had detained Nanaramid and his friends, was relieved pending a probe and that he and Southern Police District director, Chief Supt. Tomas Apolinario Jr., would educate their men on how to properly enforce city ordinances. —With a report from Jaymeet T. Gamil