The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday reported the apprehension of nearly 120,000 individuals for violations of local ordinances in Metro Manila under its anti-crime campaign, the Safer Cities Initiative.
Data from the PNP’s Public Information Office revealed that a total of 119,110 violators were recorded. Of these, 35,324 were accosted for drinking and smoking in public places.
The PNP also reported that 9,214 minors were apprehended for curfew violations, 7,755 individuals for roaming without shirts, and 1,867 for using karaoke beyond allowed hours. The remaining 64,880 violators were cited for other ordinance violations.
Among the five police districts in Metro Manila, the Southern Police District registered the highest number of arrests at 38,652. This was followed by the Northern Police District with 24,327, the Quezon City Police District with 23,146, the Manila Police District with 16,545, and the Eastern Police District with 16,440.
On Sunday alone, authorities apprehended 6,514 violators, including 1,814 for drinking and smoking in public places, 434 minors for curfew violations, 369 for roaming without shirts, 65 for using karaoke beyond allowed hours, and 3,832 for other ordinance violations.
Of this number, 3,757 were warned and released, 2,611 were fined, and 146 were charged.
The Safer Cities Initiative was launched last April by Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla and PNP officials, initially covering Metro Manila before being expanded to cities across the country.
The program calls for the strict implementation of local ordinances as part of efforts to improve the peace and order situation.
Under the initiative, additional police personnel are deployed in the vicinity of schools during school hours to ensure student safety, as well as in areas of public convergence.