Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1775624669494HFWXWi5bwAERCNx.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><em>ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Some 24,000 individuals have been recorded violating local city ordinances across Metro Manila following intensified enforcement under the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/6/dilg-drinking-liquor-on-streets-is-banned-1139">Safe Cities Initiative.</a></p><p>Data from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) showed that the most common violation was drinking and smoking in public places, with 8,075 offenders. </p><p>This was followed by roaming the streets without shirts with 2,672 violators, and minors caught violating curfew hours with 2,245.</p><p>The Southern Police District logged the highest number of violators at 12,211, followed by the Quezon City Police District with 4,165. </p><p>NCRPO spokesperson Hazel Asilo said enforcement of local ordinances had been ongoing even before the Safer Metro Manila plan was announced, noting that police visibility helped minimize resistance from the public.</p><p>“Alam nila na talagang pag nag-iikot ‘yung ating mga kapulisan, ‘yung probability na mahuli sila ‘pag nag-iinom sila sa kalsada ay malaki ‘yung chance. So walang resistance na nagaganap,” Asilo said. </p><p>Asilo explained that the key difference now is the stronger involvement of barangays in enforcement, in line with directives from the DILG. </p><p>“Kung dati kasi more on police lamang ‘yung umiikot para sa mga local ordinances. Ngayon, sila ay hinihikayat sumama,” she added. </p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F787569684130619%2F&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" width="560" height="429" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>Asilo stressed that police operate within legal parameters, especially in cases involving minors, where intervention from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) may be required. </p><p>She added that most cities implement a graduated approach to penalties, starting with warnings for first-time offenders before fines, community service, or other sanctions are imposed.</p><p>“Una, karaniwan sa kanila is warning. Sa pangalawa pa lang mapupunta kung sakali ‘yung fines and mga penalties. Ganun din ‘yung community service na pwede ipataw sa kanila,” she added. </p><p>While no repeat offenders have been recorded so far, Asilo noted that some local governments—such as Manila—have ordinances that could hold parents liable for repeated curfew violations by minors under responsible parenting provisions.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F1511985773595677%2F&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" width="560" height="429" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>DEATH DURING TAGUIG OPERATION </strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The NCRPO also clarified that a man who died during an anti-criminality operation in Taguig City on Tuesday night suffered cardiac arrest while fleeing from police. </p><p>Authorities said five suspects were arrested during the operation for alleged violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.</p><p>“Nagkaroon sila ng chance upon na nag-aabutan itong ating mga suspect. ‘Yung isa ay tumakbo, nagtago siya doon sa isang madilim na park. Then doon sa may pader parang tumalon siya. Tapos inatake siya sa puso,” Asilo said. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>HUMAN RIGHTS</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Following public concerns comparing the operation to past heavy police deployments, Asilo said the intensified presence of officers was meant to show the seriousness of the campaign and not to intimidate the public. </p><p>She noted that officers are equipped with body-worn cameras to ensure transparency and accountability.</p><p>“Hindi naman ito pananakot. Ito ay pinapakita natin kung gaano kaseryoso ang ating PNP na i-implement ‘yung utos at direktiba sa atin,” she added. </p><p>Meanwhile, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson PBGen. Randulf Tuaño said the Safer Cities strategy is anchored on existing local ordinances and aims to serve as a proactive and preventive approach to help bring down crime rates faster.</p><p>“Ito ay pangunahin na sinasabi nating proactive and preventive approach na nakikita ng PNP sa usapin ng pagbaba ng datos sa ating focus crimes. Bakit iinimplement ‘yung timing ng Safer Cities? Sapagkat nais natin na mas mapabilis ‘yung ating pagbaba ng datos ng ating focus crimes,” Tuaño said. </p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uupYFiJObXc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Some 24,000 individuals have been recorded violating local city ordinances across Metro Manila following intensified enforcement under the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s Safe Cities Initiative. </p>

Some 24,000 individuals have been recorded violating local city ordinances across Metro Manila following intensified enforcement under the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s Safe Cities Initiative.

24,000 caught violating city ordinances under DILG Safe Cities drive — NCRPO

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24,000 caught violating city ordinances under DILG Safe Cities drive — NCRPO

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 08, 2026 01:07 PM PHT

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Updated April 08, 2026 02:19 PM PHT

Read More:

DILG

PNP

NCRPO

Safer Metro Manila

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