Crackdown on ‘tambay’ no prelude to Martial Law but President may declare it ‘if necessary’–Imee Marcos
The Philippine National Police (PNP) crackdown on “tambay” (loiterers) is not a step towards Martial Law but President Rodrigo Duterte may declare it “if necessary,” according to Ilocos Norte Gov. Maria Imelda Josefa “Imee” Marcos on Monday morning.
Marcos said in an ambush interview that it was unnecessary for President Rodrigo Duterte to delay the declaration of Martial Law if it was necessary.
“Why would he pretend and lie if declaring Martial Law is needed now? We saw how he declared Martial Law before [in Mindanao]so why would he hesitate if he thinks it is needed? I can’t see it,” said the Ilocos Norte governor, daughter of the late president Ferdinand Marcos who declared martial law in 1972 and ruled the country for 20 years.
Marcos added that the crackdown on loiterers was just one of Duterte’s way of deterring crimes on the street.
“Same with Duterte, I am busy on cracking down loiterers who are sometimes the cause of fear among the youth, women, and the elders who are scared to cross the road out of nervousness because of the loiterers,” she said.
Imee Marcos FILE PHOTO
“Not all loiterers are innocent. We all know that in the provinces,” Marcos added.
The crackdown on loiterers received flak from various lawmakers and critics who described it as a violation of human rights.
PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde previously clarified that loiterers were arrested based on city ordinances. He also said that only those who were drinking, smoking, and shirtless in public were the ones who have been arrested.
Duterte recently clarified that he never ordered the PNP to arrest loiterers, saying that he only told them to direct loiterers back to their homes.
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