Government’s latest initiative to crack down on crime by enforcing local ordinances and existing laws has drawn flak from critics.

How justified is the Duterte administration really in its goal of ridding the streets of danger and criminality? The death of Genesis “Tisoy” Agoncillo, one of those arrested at the start of the drive against loiterers, was unfortunate; it is one death too many.

But unless the investigation proves police brutality or inexcusable negligence led to his demise, it would be unfair to lay the blame on our Philippine National Police. Neither should it lead to the negative conclusion on the merits of the anti-crime campaign.

In fact, the PNP leadership deserves credit for vowing to cooperate with any investigation to determine the real cause of Tisoy’s death, who reportedly complained of shortness of breath while in a jail cell built for six people but holding 138 detainees.

As a result of the incident, PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde issued a memorandum last June 20 directing all police officials in the country, among others, to coordinate with local and barangay officials in the implementation of the anti-loitering drive.

More important was Albayalde’s specific directive that all such operations be conducted in compliance with “existing Police Operational Procedures and with due regard to human rights and dignity of apprehended individuals.”

Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar, chief of the National Capital Region police office, bared in an interview Tuesday that out of the reported 7,000 individuals “arrested” in connection with the anti-loitering drive, only around 100 remained in jail—and that’s because they are facing various criminal charges.

He also revealed the PNP is coordinating with local government units to impose fines on individuals accosted for violation of local ordinances. This move would not only address the critical lack of detention facilities but also deter violators.

While critics are correct in saying that loitering is not a crime per se, it is equally undeniable that various crimes are attributed to persons or group of persons hanging around in certain areas with no apparent productive purpose.

Stories abound about victims of mugging in alleys, stabbing, robbery and holdup perpetrated by “tambays.”

It should come as no surprise President Duterte has directed the police to launch a campaign against loiterers because he has sworn to address not only the country’s drug problem but also the menace of criminality.

It is the primordial duty of the State to ensure the safety of its residents.

And based on the March 23 to 27 survey by the Social Weather Stations, the police drive against criminality is producing results. It showed fewer Filipinos, or 6.6 percent, fell victims to common crimes in the first quarter of 2018, compared to 7.6 percent recorded in the December 2017 survey.

But it seems many Filipinos — especially critics of the administration — view democracy as freedom to do everything they want, forgetting that with every right comes responsibility.

If the critics would have their way, they would rather have our society go the way of the wild, wild West.