DAVAO CITY -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte has urged critics to
question the Anti-Tambay Operations of the police at the Supreme Court, as
he emphasized the state’s police power to protect families.
Duterte issued the challenge following what he said was an assumption
of a certain senator over the government’s action against street loiterers or tambays,
branding the policy as bereft of legal basis.
“Of course, I can accost you. Sabihin ko, (I will say) ‘What are
you doing here?’” Duterte said invoking the doctrine of parens patriae (father
of the country).
In legal terms, the doctrine of parens patriae means the
inherent power and authority of the state to provide protection to persons,
especially minors, and people’s property.
“If you are a minor under the power of parens patriae, you are the
father of the nation.
You can always give an advice for people, kagaya ng (like
the) minors. Kaya sabi ko, if you are unruly, talagang sabihin ko,
‘Uwi ka kundi arestado ka.’ (That’s why I said if you are unruly, I will
really tell you, ’Go home or be arrested.’)” he said before hundreds of
participants of the 2018 National ICT Summit at the SMX Convention Center here
Friday evening.
“That is a police power of the state. Now let them contest it in the
Supreme Court,” the President said.
“I never said arrested. But if you are drinking diyan sa (there
in the) alley, ‘yung mga (those in the) squatter’s area. If you are
there, making a sala (living room) out of the road there, huhulihin
talaga kita (I will really arrest you),” he said.
Duterte said the policy aims to protect the people against crimes,
especially with the prevalence of illegal drugs.
“When the monkey rides on the back and starts scratching, the craving
is there. They have to have the fix and they will commit crimes,” he said,
reminding the public that the use of “shabu” produces bizarre and violent
behavior.
Citing a recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, the President
said people are afraid when they go out of their houses.
“Kasi (Because) all day, he’s thinking that somebody will break
into the house and steal his possession. Or if he has children, he is worried
that a maniac would go there and do the unimaginable,” he pointed out.
Duterte cited that about 58 percent of those surveyed are worried about
street crimes, including robbery inside public transportation.
In an earlier interview on Friday, Philippine National Police (PNP)
Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said a tambay will not be
arrested unless there is a violation of an ordinance or a law.
He said most of those arrested have violated ordinances and laws on
drinking liquor in public places, non-wearing of shirts in public, smoking in
non-smoking areas, and playing loud karaoke beyond 10 p.m.
“Naging controversial lang naman ito dahil no less than
the President has said
Hinuhuli because may violation ng ordinance
(It has become controversial because the President said it. There were arrests
because there were violations of ordinances),” Albayalde told reporters in
Davao early this week.
Despite criticisms, the national police chief said he does not plan to
stop the anti-tambay operation because it does not violate the law.
Albayalde highlighted the positive feedback from communities, whose
residents say they feel safer, especially those going home from work in the
evening or reporting for a night-shift duty. (PNA/By Lilian Mellejor)
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