MANILA — Those loitering in public half-naked while drinking alcohol will be in hot water, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde reiterated Thursday.
Albayalde’s remarks came after President Rodrigo Duterte directed law enforcement authorities to crack down on “tambays”.
Speaking to newsmen, the PNP chief stressed that the police continues to run after vagrants violating local ordinances, particularly those holding drinking sessions in public streets.
“Ginagawa na natin yun. (We have been doing that.) There is a local ordinance. Doon sa mga umiinom sa kalsada, yung nakahubad sa kalsada (Those who are drinking liquor in the streets, those who are half-naked). Kung gusto uminom, doon sa loob ng tahanan. Ipatupad ang (If they want to drink, they must do so in their homes. Implement the) city ordinances. Lahat naman ng city, lalong lalo na dito saMetro Manila, may ordinance patungkol sa mga nakatambay sa kalsada (All cities, especially here in Metro Manila, have an ordinance on loitering in the streets),” Albayalde said.
The law defines vagrants, among others, as persons having no apparent means of subsistence, who have the physical ability to work but neglect to apply themselves to some lawful calling, and those found loitering in public or semi-public buildings or places or tramping or wandering about the country or the streets without visible means of support.
The PNP chief said that first offenders would generally be entitled to a warning but the police will enforce the law against habitual offenders. ( Benjamin Pulta/PNA)
