Robredo sees no reason for arrest of ‘tambays:’ ‘Loitering not a Crime'

Vice President Leni Robredo has questioned the Philippine National Police’s arrest of “tambays” or people loitering on the street in the past few weeks.

In an interview in Camarines Sur Monday (June 18), Robredo asked the PNP for the reason behind the street loiterers’ arrest.

“Kasi hindi naman krimen iyong pagtambay. Kung may krimen na ginawa, talagang may karapatang hulihin. Pero kung tumatambay lang, hindi iyon krimen at walang dahilan,” she said.


Robredo, an abogado, said she sees no reason for “tambays” to be arrested if they do not commit any crime and do not cause inconvenience to other people.

The Philippine National Police has intensified its crackdown on “tambays” this month, with almost 3,000 people arrested in Metro Manila alone from June 13 to 18.

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PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde has defended the arrest, saying the loiterers also violated city ordinances such as drinking and smoking in public, and roaming around half-naked.

The crackdown happened after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the police to ensure there are no loiterers on the streets at nighttime.