2 Makati cops relieved from posts after detaining ‘tambays’ with no valid violation

Southern Police District director Chief Superintendent Tomas Apolinario Jr. has ordered the relief of two Makati City police officers after they wrongfully detained six individuals who they deemed as "tambays."

Senior Inspector Aaron Elago, commander of the Guadalupe Nuevo Police Community Precinct, and Senior Police Officer 2 James Teaño, a desk officer of the same police station were relieved from their posts effective Monday (June 18).

They have been relieved following a report of an alleged "abuse of discretion of authority when they rounded up night idlers or 'tambay' in their area of responsibility and brought them to their police precinct for verification even without valid violation of city ordinances."

The two police officers were placed at the admin holding section of the Makati City Police Station. Apolinario said the police officers were removed from their posts not because they are "already guilty but to pave way for the investigation" being conducted by the District Investigation Unit.

National Capital Region Police Office director Chief Superintendent Guillermo Eleazar also reminded the policemen that they should only arrest those who have violated city or municipal ordinances which include urinating and drinking in public places, roaming half-naked, making loud noise, and curfew of minors, among others. — Marlly Rome Bondoc/RSJ, GMA News