MANILA, Philippines—Be careful how you label gangs.
Naming a bunch of criminals after their place of origin may soon be a crime under a proposed bill.
“Imagine being tagged as the town mate or barangay mate of a certain criminal. Certainly, there can be far more congruous ways for the authorities to label felons and criminals,” Misamis Occidental Representative Henry Oaminal, author of House Bill No. 4758, said.
HB 4758 seeks to prohibit the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other enforcement agencies from using places of origins to call gangs as it “does not only smear and besmirch the name of the town or city but also the innocent people therein.”
Oaminal cited the notorious Ozamis Gang, Ilonggo Gang and the Waray-Waray Gang.
Violators could face imprisonment of six months to six years under the proposed measure.
The bill is pending before the House public order and safety committee.
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