A senior Palace official defended President Duterte’s order on a crackdown on minors loitering on the streets at late night, saying the move was aimed at protecting the youth from criminals, drug addicts and other victims of petty crimes.

Presidential Chief Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said it is a noble act as a “father” to the country.

“He’s trying to protect the people. When minors loiter or drink liquor, then you’re creating a situation where crimes will arise from that,” Panelo told a television network.

Panelo said there are local ordinances in parts of Metro Manila that ban drinking sprees in public places, going out half naked and loitering.

“Following the law in this country has become just an option, not an obedience to the law.

There is a law, there is an an ordinance, we have to strictly follow them,” he said.

President Duterte earlier had said the government had the moral responsibility to protect the youth.

He encouraged law enforcement agents, barangay authorities and government social workers to round up teenagers found loitering on the streets and “take care” of them.

“Below 18, you arrest the teenagers there loitering, because we have to protect our children. Nagkalat na ang droga, nagkalat na ang lahat,” he said.

However, during the same speech, President Duterte made it clear “minors are taken into custody but are not arrested… brought to a safe place for the night, for their protection, fed and then released the morning after.”

Duterte on June 13 ordered law enforcers to be strict to late night loiterers. Some 8,000 people have since been apprehended or accosted in Metro Manila, with critics saying the President’s order is a prelude to nationwide martial law.