Malacañang on Friday denied that the recent order of President Rodrigo Duterte to crack down “tambays” or loiterers was anti-poor.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the order covers all those who violate the law.
“It targets all those who violate local ordinances and laws,” Roque said in a text message, amid criticisms that the order targets only the poor.
The militant group Akbayan Youth has dared the President to bring his crackdown on “tambays” campaign to posh villages to disprove criticism that the government’s crackdown targeted only the poor.
In a speech last week, Duterte directed authorities to be strict with tambays, saying they are “potential trouble for the public.”
The President told the police to bring to his office in Malacañang those who would refuse to heed the police and would remain loitering on the streets, especially at night time.
“Tell them, if you don’t go home, I would bring you to the office of—Pasig. I’ll take care of it. Just leave it there. Tie the hands—I would throw it there,” he said.
Some raised concerns over what they said seemed to be a prelude to a nationwide martial law Roque had allayed their fears, saying Duterte’s remarks were just meant for “crime prevention.”/ac