SILG Remulla to meet with TBS in Cavite next week amid crackdown

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Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Wednesday said he plans to meet with members of the True Brown Style (TBS) community-based group in Cavite next week.

"Meron na. Actually, I will start sa Cavite next week. Kakausapin ko yung mga TBS dyan. I will lay out my policy. They are rational individuals. Tingin ko naman madadaan natin sa usapan. Pero kung makukulit talaga sila, eh di pasensyahan kami," Remulla said in a statement.

(There is. Actually, I will start in Cavite next week. I will talk to the TBS there. I will lay out my policy. They are rational individuals. I think we can have a productive discussion. But if they get really stubborn, we'll react accordingly.)

Authorities recently launched a crackdown against TBS members who are allegedly involved in illegal activities and groom minors into committing crimes.

Remulla said the group has been reaching out to authorities for a possible dialogue.

The DILG chief said TBS members could still become productive members of society if they are willing to reform.

However, Remulla stressed that the government will continue going after TBS members allegedly involved in illegal activities.

Remulla said 13 TBS members were recently arrested in connection with various alleged offenses, including drug-related cases, illegal possession of deadly weapons, and theft.

He also cited the September 21 mass rally in Mendiola last year, where 90 people were arrested. According to Remulla, 55 of those arrested were identified as TBS members.

Remulla said authorities identified the alleged TBS members through intelligence networks and by examining the group's hierarchy in Manila.

TBS Worldwide earlier urged authorities not to generalize or treat all members as criminals.

"HUWAG LAHATIN. Hindi lahat ng may TBS sa pangalan, kulay, o affiliation ay kriminal. Hindi lahat ng TBS members pare-pareho ang ginagawa," TBS Worldwide said in a Facebook post.

(DO NOT GENERALIZE. Not everyone with TBS in their name, color, or affiliation is a criminal. Not all TBS members do the same thing.)

Originally from California in the United States, TBS reached the Philippines about 25 years ago. Remulla earlier said it now has members in about 78 of the country's provinces.

Remulla had also previously described cases involving TBS as extremely alarming that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. ordered authorities to dismantle the organization. — VDV, GMA News