More than 1,400 individuals were apprehended around Metro Manila during an intensified anti-criminality drive. In particular, the efforts to rid the streets of “tambays” by various police districts but Sen. Richard Gordon said the government should do more than just running after them.

Rather than catching loiterers or “tambays” as a policy, Gordon said local government units (LGU) should instead encourage them to seek employment or to be more productive through program they initiate.

The senator said the local executives should take the lead through ordinances that foster a positive outlook.

“The principle is, if you’re not doing anything, look for a job. In my view, a mayor should pursue a positive campaign instead of imposing a ban. They can create ordinances about this,” Gordon said.

“The principle is, if you’re not doing anything, look for a job.”

The intensified campaign against “tambays” and other undesirables on the streets was ordered by no less President Duterte.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said there were instances that crimes were committed by those who hang around on the streets.

Albayalde said the PNP’s campaign against undesirable individuals on the streets is called Oplan “Rody.”

Based on data from five police district under the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) covering 5 a.m. last June 16 to 5 a.m. yesterday, a total of 1,493 persons were apprehended for violating laws and ordinances.

The Southern Police District (SPD) has the highest number of arrested tambays with 454; 23 others were nabbed for illegal gambling; 31 for illegal drugs; three for robbery, and two for physical injury.

The Eastern Police District (EPD) came in second with 438 – with Pasig City registering 262; Marikina City with 83, Mandaluyong City with 76, and San Juan City with 15.

Coming in at third was the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) with 344 individuals arrested.

Chief Supt. Joselito Esquivel, QCPD director, vowed to strictly

implement all ordinances, particularly those going in the streets half-naked and loitering in the wee hours of the day.

Esquivel said that the arrest of the suspects came following the pronouncement of President Rodrigo Duterte and directives from the PNP higher headquarters to rid off the streets of “tambays” in a bid to reduce crime and maintain peace and order.

The Northern Police District (NPD), which has jurisdiction over the cities of Caloocan, Malabon and Navotas, reported 136 arrested persons while the Manila Police District (MPD) has at least 111 apprehended.

Getting rid of “tambays” would attract tourists and would make for a clean place for its citizens, Isabela Rep. Rodito Albano.

The move prompted Albano to say Duterte is following in the footsteps of Singapore.

“That’s good for tourists… a Lee Kwan Yew in the making,” Albano said.

Duterte, last week in a speech in Laguna, told police to be strict with “tambays” or those loitering in the streets.

He said those who refuse to heed his order should be brought to him in Malacañang because he is going to throw them in the Pasig.

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