PNP: Shirtless ban in public back in Manila, QC after suspension

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Friday the enforcement of the ban on going shirtless in public places has resumed in Manila and Quezon City following a brief suspension.

“Ang unang naiulat na mga cities po na pansamantala na tumigil sa loob lamang ng isang linggo, ito po yung Manila City at Quezon City. The following week ay pinagpatuloy na po,”  PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño said at a press briefing.

(The first cities that were reported to have temporarily stopped for just a week were Manila City and Quezon City. The following week, it was resumed.)

With its resumption, Tuaño said PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. advised National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Police Brigadier General Anthony Aberin to implement the policy with “common sense.”

“Malinaw po ang instruction ng Chief PNP kay General Aberin ng NCRPO na pairalin yung common sense sa pagpapatupad ng shirtless ordinance,” Tuaño said.

(The Chief PNP has clearly instructed General Aberin of the NCRPO to apply common sense in the implementation of the shirtless ordinance.)

“Hanggat hindi pa malinaw na nareresolba kung ano ba talaga ang specific definition ng public places, sabi po ng Chief PNP kay RD na ipatupad yung common sense sa pagpatupad ng nasabing shirtless ordinance,” he added.

(While it is not clear what the specific definition of public places is, the Chief PNP told RD to apply common sense in the implementation of the said shirtless ordinance.)

On April 6, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) announced stricter implementation of the ban on going shirtless in public areas and other measures under the “Safer Cities Initiative.”

The enforcement in some areas including Manila was suspended amid concerns that the policy was “anti-poor.”

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on April 15 personally visited and apologized to a construction worker who was earlier apprehended for being shirtless in Mandaluyong City. — RSJ, GMA News