Arrested shirtless worker's wife thanks Jonvic Remulla for apology

The wife of the man who was arrested for being shirtless thanked Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla for apologizing and acknowledging lapses in the implementation of the Safer Cities Initiative.

“Nagpasalamat ako kasi kahit papaano napansin niya yung mga mali or yung hindi tamang pagpapatupad doon sa batas na walang pang-itaas. So hindi naman ako against doon sa mga batas na bawal uminom sa kalsada. Tama naman yun pero dapat po inano po niya talaga kung hanggang saan lang po yung walang suot,” Norietta Lanquino said, according to Darlene Cay’s Monday report on “24 Oras.”

(I’m thankful because somehow, he noticed the mistakes or the improper enforcement of the law regarding being shirtless. I am not against laws that prohibit drinking on the streets. Those are correct. However, he should have clearly defined its limits on where it applies.)

Earlier that day, Remulla apologized after a construction worker was arrested for being shirtless during a Safer Cities Initiative operation in Barangay Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City.

“Nagkamali po kami roon (We made a mistake) and I take full responsibility. I will make amends,” Remulla said.

Johnny, not his real name, said the fear he felt during his arrest was still fresh in his mind as police officers surrounded him and he experienced high blood pressure.

“Nagmakaawa na ako doon sa nag-ticket sa akin eh. Kung pwede, pagbigyan lang muna. Kasi hindi ko man alam yun eh. Ano pala dito eh, bawal maghubad sa eskinita eh. Yung mga pulis nakapayagan sa akin, doon ako na-trauma eh. Sa dami nilang mga SWAT at mga pulis na nasa likuran ko,” Jhonny said.

(I already begged the person who was giving me a ticket to let it pass since I didn’t know that it’s prohibited to be shirtless in the alley. The police didn’t even give me a chance, and that’s when I got traumatized because there were so many SWAT members and police behind me.)

He shared that he was wearing a shirt before but had to take it off due to the heat.

“Sobra. Inagpawis na eh. Basa na yung damit ko. Pumasok ako doon at naghubad. Tamang-tama noong paglabas ko, pagbukas ko diyan ang simento, maghahalo ako. Bigla man dumating yung mga pulis at tanod,” Jhonny said.

(It was really hot, and my shirt got drenched. I went inside the house to take it off. When I went outside to mix cement, the police suddenly arrived.)

He added that he was unaware that it was prohibited to be shirtless right in front of their house, which is far from the main street.

According to Remulla, they will hold a command conference to clarify the limits in the implementation of the Safer Cities Plan, which, aside from addressing crime, also aims to enforce local ordinances.

The program’s implementation and expansion will continue.

Remulla said there will be clearer guidelines, such as giving consideration to people who are working.

The date for his visit to Barangay Addition Hills is yet to be determined. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BAP, GMA News