MANILA, Philippines — More than 500 indigenous individuals begging on the streets this Christmas holiday were rescued by authorities following various operations that were conducted around Metro Manila.
According to the data of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), a total of 535 indigenous minors and adults were rescued during a five-day rescue operation.
NCRPO Chief Director Guillermo Eleazar noted that the said number came from the operations conducted last December 11 until 5 a.m. of December 16.
The rescued individuals were then transferred to the Department of Social Welfare and Development for proper protection, Eleazar said.
“We tend to continue doing this not only in this yuletide season but all year round to rescue itong mga kababayan natin na namamalimos dito,” he said during a news forum.
The operation was conducted following the order of Eleazar to his men to rescue those beggars that have proliferated in the streets of the metropolis on Christmas season
READ: NCRPO chief orders ‘rescue’ operations targeting beggars
The police departments of Quezon City and Manila both tallied 224 beggars rescued, while the Southern Police Department recorded 68 rescued indigenous.
The Eastern Police District tallied 16 beggars while the Northern Police District recorded the lowest numbers of beggars rescued with only three.
Eleazar then asked the public’s cooperation by not tolerating the beggars’ request for alms.
“Mabigat man sa kalooban, pero ‘wag tayong magpalimos dahil kapag alam niyang mga yan na walang nagpalimos, hindi magsstay dito yan at hindi pa nila subject ang sarili nila sa danger [sa kalsada],” he said. /je
READ: DSWD: Don’t give alms to street beggars