MANILA, Philippines — In a swift and massive enforcement operation, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) apprehended over 48,000 individuals across Metro Manila during a 72-hour crackdown from April 6 to 8, 2026.
The operation is part of Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla’s “Safer Cities” initiative, which targets minor offenses as a means to prevent more serious crimes and restore public order.
The 72-hour period saw a total of 48,257 violators cited for various infractions of local ordinances:
- Public Smoking: 7,300 individuals
- Roaming Shirtless: 2,543 individuals
- Curfew Violations (Minors): 2,070 individuals
- Late-Night Karaoke: 572 individuals caught using videoke/karaoke machines beyond the 10:00 PM cutoff.
- Other Infractions: 12,485 cases involving loitering, public disturbance, and street drinking.
While the number of apprehensions was high, the majority of cases were resolved without formal charges:
- Released with Warning: 15,584 individuals
- Fined: 7,389 individuals
- Charged in Court: 403 individuals
The scale and nature of the crackdown have drawn criticism from youth and human rights advocacy groups. The Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan (Spark) expressed concerns that the initiative could lead to profiling and harassment, particularly in urban poor communities.
“The PNP has an unmistakable track record of subjectively applying the law,” said Spark spokesperson Milo Basuel, warning that the policy might mirror the controversial methods used in previous anti-crime campaigns.
In response to these concerns, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. assured the public that all officers have been instructed to strictly adhere to operational protocols and respect human rights. The “Safer Cities” directive remains in effect, with police continuing to focus on street drinking, shirtless individuals, and noisy revelers to ensure “civility in Metro Manila at night.”