The House Makabayan opposition bloc on Monday filed a resolution seeking an investigation into the Philippine National Police (PNP)’s alleged “illegal arrest” of over 7,000 “tambays” (loiterers).
READ: Police collar 7,000 ‘tambays’ violating ordinances
ACT-Teachers Reps. Antonio Tinio and France Castro, Gabriela Reps. Emmi de Jesus and Arlene Brosas, Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao, and Kabataan Rep. Sarah Elago filed House Resolution 1969 directing the House committee on human rights to probe the government’s anti-tambay drive.
“President Rodrigo Duterte’s verbal order to arrest vagrants, “tambays” or idle individuals opens floodgate of abuses especially in the midst of unresolved cases of police brutality and extrajudicial killings in poor communities. It provides PNP a wide latitude in carrying out illegal arrests, illegal search and seizures and in violating people’s rights to mobility,” the lawmakers wrote in the resolution.
JUST IN: House Makabayan opposition bloc files resolution seeking inquiry into the government’s crackdown against “tambays” and the alleged police brutality that led to the death of Genesis “Tisoy” Argoncillo. @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/0NgEuFS7nV
— Path Roxas (@PathRoxasINQ) June 25, 2018
READ: Solon wants congressional probe on death of QC detainee, drive vs ‘tambays’
Citing Republic Act No. 10158 passed in 2012, which decriminalized acts of vagrancy, the militant lawmakers called the operation illegal and anti-poor.
JUST IN: House Makabayan opposition bloc files resolution seeking inquiry into the government’s crackdown against “tambays” and the alleged police brutality that led to the death of Genesis “Tisoy” Argoncillo. @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/0NgEuFS7nV
— Path Roxas (@PathRoxasINQ) June 25, 2018
They also noted the alleged police brutality against a detainee, Genesis “Tisoy” Argoncillo, while under the custody of the Novaliches Police Station 4 in Quezon City.
READ: QCPD chief says death of detainee not due to police brutality
In a speech last June 13, President Rodrigo Duterte directed authorities to be strict with tambays, saying they are “potential trouble for the public.”
“‘Yung kalsada, ‘yung highways are– we built it for the law-abiding citizens. Ang mga criminal dapat diyan, ang mga durugista, they are not supposed to be there. So my directive is ‘pag mag-istambay-istambay diyan sa, sabihin niyo, ‘Umuwi kayo. Kay ‘pag hindi kayo umuwi ihatid ko kayo doon sa opisina ni ano — Pasig,’” Duterte said.
(We built the streets and highways for the law-abiding citizens. The criminals and the druggies are not supposed to be there. So my directive is when you see a loiterer, tell them, “Go home. If you don’t go home, I will bring you to the Pasig office.”)
“Do not… You be strict. Part of confronting people who do not do nothing and just idling around, they are potential trouble for the public,” he added. /vvp
READ: Solon on Duterte’s directive vs ‘tambays’: Is this martial law redux?