ILOILO City – Wary of gang wars now that classes have resumed, the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) urged parents to secure their children at night or cops would arrest the youngsters for violating the curfew ordinance for minors.
On Wednesday, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to be strict with tambays – persons who loitering in the streets, even at night – saying they are potential troublemakers.
The ICPO has listed 31 youth gangs in the metro. The curfew for minors would be strictly enforced, said Senior Inspector Shella Mae Sangrines, city police spokesperson.
On the night of June 11 seven youngsters – all girls – were apprehended in Barangay Rizal Pala-Pala, City Proper near the Iloilo Terminal Market.
“We are monitoring the movements of gangs. We also anticipate the formation of more now that classes have resumed,” said Sangrines.
In this city, minors are prohibited from loitering beyond 10 p.m. in restaurants, nightclubs, motels, dancehalls, amusement places such as internet cafés, video arcades, karaoke bars, billiard halls, beach resorts, and other similar establishments.
On June 13 the ICPO discussed with the police station commanders of the City Proper, Jaro, La Paz, Mandurriao, Molo, and Arevalo districts strategies for the effective enforcement of the curfew for minors and the curtailment of gang violence.
The curfew is from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
“But parents have their primary responsibility over their children. They should check their children’s class schedules, who their friends are and where do they go after classes,” said Sangrines.
During Police Station 1’s operation on the night of June 11 that netted seven youngsters, there were actually over 20 minors spotted near the Iloilo Terminal Market at around 11 p.m., said Superintendent Jonathan Pablito, the City Proper police station commander.
They ran away upon seeing the police going their way, said Pablito.
The youngsters were between 13 to 17 years old, he added.
“Maybe they are forming their own group,” said Pablito.
Yesterday in Malacañang, Presidential Spokesperson allayed fears that Duterte’s warning against tambays was reminiscent of martial law.
Tambay is a play on the English phrase “stand by.”
The President only wanted a strict enforcement of laws to prevent crime, said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.
Under Iloilo City’s curfew ordinance, minors are also prohibited from selling or vending whatever items (including food and beverages) even with the presence of their parents or guardians, and its shall be unlawful for any business establishments to admit and allow minors within their premises during the curfew hours.
Any business establishment violating the ordinance shall be meted with sanctions: first violation, written notice of warning; second violation, imposition of a P5,000 fine; third violation, closure of the establishment for three days; fourth offense, closure of the establishment for five days; and fifth violation, revocation of business permit.
Minors caught violating the curfew, on the other hand, will be turned over to the City Social Welfare and Development Office, which in turn will be responsible in returning the youngsters to their parents or guardians.
The ICPO has listed the following 31 youth gangs:
* BRB – Be Right Back / Batang Rebeldeng Brutal
* HOMEBOYS
* SPERM Richkid
* BAD BORN
* LBS – Little Brown Style
* MBS – Mga Batang Sikat
* P5 – Pasaway Singko
* SPERM
* TYGA Gang
* SHOKTONG – See Crazy Kids Touches Nice Girls
* YCK – Young Crazy Kids
* DICTA – Di Ilonggos Crew Thugs Amegos
* LK – Last Kings
* OR – Oiys Republic
* SPOT – Satan Protector Original Tagsta
* TGOD – Taylor Gang Or Die
* Roll-up Gang
* G-Crown
* 5 Star Group
* Bibug Gang
* Cool Amigos
* Street True Side
* SP5
* CHONG Kids
* PS -People Stronger
* GORE gang
* Heart Heart
* Pinoy Clan
* Pinoy Black Wall
* Psy Sigma Phi Gang
* Psy Ga Gang/PN
