More than taking pictures that go viral, people should make a citizen’s arrest if they see others, including tourists, violating the country’s laws, the Philippine National Police on Tuesday urged the public.
The PNP was reacting to a viral social media post showing a visitor—reportedly a Chinese tourist—defecating in a garden pot in Intramuros, Manila. Other widely shared photographs showed three men, believed to be Chinese nationals, urinating in public.
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso has issued an order to the police to identify and hunt down the man caught with his pants down. Officials of the Intramuros Administration meanwhile said they were verifying the incident.
“As Filipinos, it is our duty to get involved in the maintenance of peace and order, and that includes calling out anyone, both locals and foreigners who disrespect or violate our laws and local ordinances, and reporting the incident right away to authorities,” said PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac.
“The PNP reminds foreign visitors, tourists and workers to respect and follow the country’s laws or face arrest,” he added.
Under the law, Filipinos “can exercise citizen’s arrest, and immediately turn over to proper authorities anyone apprehended for proper disposition.”
A citizen’s arrest may be made if a person knows that another individual is about to commit, is committing, or has just committed a crime, and authorities are not immediately available to arrest them.
In a radio interview, Banac reminded people to first ensure their safety when making a citizen’s arrest as well as “to make time in reporting and filing a complaint with the police.”
This means that people who report law violations to the police should also find time to provide their statements or evidence, instead of simply leaving the matter to the PNP.
Banac said it was important that Filipinos were “concerned with maintaining order which shows good citizenship.’’
Equally important was for people violating the law to realize the wrong they have done, he said.
The PNP chief cited the case of Singapore where, he said, tourists rarely commit crimes or offenses because Singaporeans immediately call their attention if they violate the law. INQ