No human rights complaint in anti-tambay drive

Not a single complaint of human rights violation has been filed before any station of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in connection to the intensified campaign against loiterers throughout the country, contrary to fears by government critics.

PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde, at a press briefing in Camp Crame, said since President Duterte ordered an intensified drive against loiterers or “tambays”, the PNP has not received any complaint of rights violation among those apprehended.

Albayalde reiterated that those apprehended were found violating local ordinances like smoking and drinking alcohol in public, among others.

“There is not one among those arrested for violation of ordinances that complained about his rights being violated whatsoever,” said Albayalde.

“So, let’s stop telling people and stop conditioning the minds of the people that these are all violations of human rights because not a single person, as of this time, has complained that rights were violated,” he added.

The chief PNP said that if there are those who feel that their rights were overstepped by police, they can go directly to him to file a complaint.

“If they will not be entertained by the chief of police, they can go right to my office personally or right here in Camp Crame,” said Albayalde.

At the same time, Albayalde rejected perception that the campaign against loiterers is anti-poor.

“We have yet to hear somebody from the shanties, sorry for the word, that they say that this implementation of city ordinances is anti-poor. Probably some sectors but they are not members of the poor community,” said Albayalde.

Government critics have expressed fears that the intensified drive against loiterers is a prelude to the declaration of a nationwide martial law by President Duterte.