DILG dismisses TBS community PR; vows crackdown on youth exploitation

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Thursday rejected claims of charitable works by the True Brown Style (TBS) gang, vowing to push forward with police operations to arrest members involved in street violence and the recruitment of minors.

Remulla dismissed the group’s recent public statements asserting it engages in community service rather than violent activity, describing the efforts as PR cover for illicit operations.

“That’s their version of the truth, but we have our mission. We know what they are doing,” Remulla said. “Those cosmetic attempts don’t hide the truth that they are really behind a lot of what is going on involving the youth.”

The DILG chief stressed that charitable activities do not absolve gang members of criminal liability, particularly regarding their alleged ties to convenience store robberies, violent initiation rites, and the grooming of children for illegal acts.

“I will really arrest them — all those who groom children to be criminals,” Remulla said.

“This cannot go on. How can it be that now that we know who they are and they’ve been called out, they’ll just say, ‘No, we are actually good people?’ Life doesn’t work that way. There must be justice,” he added.

Remulla revealed that law enforcement agencies are finalizing a comprehensive national list of recruiters and organizers affiliated with True Brown Style.

Once completed, the government plans to publish the names to expose the group’s network and warn the public.

Addressing reports that gang leadership is seeking a dialogue with authorities due to growing apprehension among its members, Remulla said he remains open to talks only if the group commits to dismantling its network and halting all illegal operations.

Meantime, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. confirmed that an intelligence-driven crackdown has been launched to dismantle the street gang’s operations and disrupt its youth recruitment pipeline.

“We must detect recruitment early, coordinate with schools and local authorities, and take lawful action before these groups become deeply rooted in our communities,” Nartatez said.

Both the DILG and the PNP urged parents to monitor their children’s mobile phone activity and social media interactions to prevent them from being targeted by youth gang recruiters.