The Tagbilaran City Police Station on Thursday night started its implementation of “Oplan Tambay,” President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive against tambays or bystanders loitering at night.
According to Tagbilaran chief of police Supt. Patricio Degay, they invited two bystanders to the station for questioning while six minors were turned over to their parents.
Degay pointed out that they have not arrested anyone for loitering at night as police officers focused on carrying out an information drive on the President’s “anti-tambay” policy.
“Tinatanong natin ano ang purpose ng pag-tambay nila jan, wala naman silang ginagawa. So ang ginawa lang natin pinaalalahan natin sila, ni-remind na sa susunod, huhulihin na,” Degay said.
Owners of 24-hour convenience stores were also reminded of the city’s 10 p.m. liquor ban.
The enforcement of the new “anti-tambay” policy is being imposed through the city’s anti-loitering ordinance.
“May city ordinance kasi, yung anti-loiteriing. Tinatanong lang natin anong ginagawa nila,” said Degay. “Kung wala talaga silang reason na bakit sila nagtatambay doon, iniimbita natin sila sa station kasi under question naman yung kung anong ginagawa nila doon at that time.”
Degay noted that under the ordinance, those caught loitering at night will be fined P300 while larger penalties will be imposed in succeeding offenses.
Meanwhile, police officers will also be going around computer shops in the city where minors are known to frequent even after the 10 p.m. curfew.
“Yung curfew for minors nakapag-implement din tayo kagabi…tapos inikutan din natin ‘tong mga computer shop kasi karamihan kasi diyan may mga minors naglalaro ng Dota,” he said.
Minors caught violating the curfew however will not be immediately arrested unless they are caught doing a crime or in possession of contraband.
Degay said that the six underage teens caught Thursday night along the streets beyond the curfew were turned over to their parents while their names were listed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development. (A. Doydora)