DILG links ‘TBS’ to violent Mendiola protest arrests

At least 58 members of the street gang True Brown Style (TBS) were among 200 individuals arrested during a 21 September protest in Mendiola, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla revealed Wednesday.

Remulla said an ongoing law enforcement investigation into the demonstration near Malacañang highlighted the gang’s propensity for violence during public gatherings.

National law enforcement agencies intensified operations against the group this week, arresting 13 additional members for various criminal offenses as part of a targeted campaign to prevent youth street gangs from recruiting and grooming minors into violent activity.

According to DILG records, True Brown Style originated in California before establishing chapters in the Philippines, where it evolved into a widespread criminal syndicate.

The group consists predominantly of young adults in their late teens and early twenties who allegedly recruit teenagers as young as 14, forcing initiates to commit armed robberies and store break-ins as initiation rites.

The crackdown follows earlier police operations that netted 53 individuals accused of orchestrating youth gang networks to incite violence within schools nationwide, following a high-profile violent incident in Zamboanga.

Remulla said the DILG is actively monitoring online threat channels and coordinating with the Department of Education and local community leaders to secure school environments and neutralize youth recruitment.

The interior secretary added that he intends to initiate dialogue with gang members in Cavite province next week to outline administrative policies and offer potential intervention pathways, while warning that authorities will maintain strict law enforcement measures against non-compliant members.