PNP to go strict vs ‘night idlers’ in metro streets

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Dir. Gen. Oscar D. Albayalde. INQUIRER.net / JHOANNA BALLARAN

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is ready to strictly implement local ordinances against “tambay” or bystanders in the streets at night, police chief Dir. Gen. Oscar D. Albayalde said Thursday.

“[Kailangang] ipatupad yung mga city ordinances. Lahat naman ng city lalong lalo na sa Metro Manila merong ordinansa patungkol dyan sa mga nakaistambay dyan sa kalsada lalo na yung mga nakahubad na umiinom,” Albayalde said in a chance interview at Camp Karingal in Quezon City.

(We need to implement city ordinances. All cities, especially in Metro Manila, have ordinances relating to those loitering in the streets, especially those drinking, topless men.)

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday said he had directed authorities to get rid of people loitering in the streets especially at night.

He said authorities should be strict and ask bystanders to go home when found wandering in the streets at night.

“‘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,” Duterte said in a speech on Wednesday.

(The streets, the highways are built for law-abiding citizens. The criminals, the druggies, 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,” he added.

(If there are people idling themselves, go thell them: Go home, for if you do not go home, I will bring you to the office of… Pasig.)

“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,” the President said.

Albayalde assured the public that the police would not abuse their authority and would warn first the bystanders before getting arrested—unless they resist.

“Pag nagresist sila, nasa kanila yun kung nagresist sila. So far wala naman tayong nakitang nagreresist,” he said.

(It is upon their discretion if they resist. So far we’ve never seen one who resisted.) /jpv