Imee Marcos backs PNP ‘anti-tambay’ drive

By Martin Sadongdong

Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos on Monday expressed support for the intensified campaign against street idlera or tambays of the Philippine National Police.

Speaking to reporters at Camp Crame, Marcos dismissed allegations of human rights violations in the PNP’s anti-tambay drive.

“There are so many human rights at nakasaad ‘yan sa ating batas subalit maraming freedom o karapatan na hindi pinag-uusapan (and it is included in the Constitution but there are a lot of freedom or rights that are not being discussed,” Marcos said.

She said critics should also consider the public’s freedom from fear, lawlessness and oppression.

“Hindi lahat ng tambay inosente at alam natin ‘yan (Not all street idlers are innocent and we know that),” Marcos noted.

“On a personal note bilang local executive o governor, ang mga tambay minsan ay nagiging sanhi ng takot (as a local executive or governor, street idlers sometimes cause fear [to public]),” she added.

She cited for example tambays who are cat-calling or harassing ladies or women who are walking on the streets at night.

“Kapag sa gabi ang ating mahal sa buhay na naghahanapbuhay na tumatawid sa daan ay nangangamba (At night our loved ones working at night are afraid of walking on the streets),” she said.

“Ang akin lang po, ang sabi ni Presidente hindi naman aarestuhin o dadalhin sa kulungan ang mga tambay kundi aalamin kung anong pakay nila o kung meron silang ginagawang labag (As far as I’m concerned, the President said street idlers are not to be arrested or brought to jails but be asked of their intention or if they are violating [local ordinances]),” Marcos explained.

She then assured the public that there is nothing to fear since the anti-tambay drive are not indications of a looming declaration of martial law in the Philippines, a move her father, former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., did several years ago.

“It’s the call of the President but I don’t think that’s entirely necessary,” Marcos said.

However, she added: “President Duterte has declared martial law when necessary otherwise he hasn’t. Bakit pa siya magkukubli, bakit pa siya magkukunwari at magsisinungaling kung martial law ang kailangan nakita naman natin buong tapang niya idineklara. So bakit pa siya mag-aalinlangan kapag kinailangan mo yun (Why would he hide or lie if martial law is needed, we all saw he bravely declared it. So why would he hesitate if you need it?)

Marcos was referring to President Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao on May 23, 2017, the day Maute terror group laid siege to Marawi City.

Meanwhile, Marcos was asked by a foreign journalist from the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on whether President Duterte had the same style of leadership with her father.

“Not at all. I think you are asking the wrong person,” she said.

The PNP’s anti-tambay drive raised public concern due to allegations of human rights abuses.

In Makati City, police wrongfully arrested a call center agent waiting for a ride to work when he was thought to be a tambay.

The death of 25-year-old Genesis Argoncillo while under police custody further sparked the issue.

He was initially arrested for loitering in the street while half-naked by police in Novaliches, Quezon City.

He died four days after allegedly being mauled by hi co-inmates inside the prison cell where he was detained.