58 TBS members involved, arrested in Sept. 21 protest in Mendiola – DILG

MANILA, Philippines—Fifty eight members of the international gang True Brown Style (TBS) were among the 200 individuals arrested during the September 21 protests in Mendiola, Manila, according to Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla.

“Tinignan namin ‘yung investigation namin, out of the 200 we arrested last September 21 doon sa Mendiola, 58 were members of True Brown Style. So nakikita yung propensity for violence nila,” Remulla told reporters on Tuesday.

(We looked at our investigations, out of the 200 we arrested last September 21 in Mendiola, 58 were members of True Brown Style. So we see their propensity for violence.) 

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During the joint signing of the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) School Health and Protection Program, Remulla told reporters that they have arrested 13 TBS members for various offenses.

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READ: 13 TBS-linked suspects arrested in Metro Manila

This is part of the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s effort to stop groups from allegedly grooming children toward violence, in the wake of school shooting incidents during the past two months.

Remulla alleged that TBS originated in California, United States before expanding to the Philippines into what he described as a criminal syndicate.

He also claimed that the group recruits children as young as 14 to 15 years old and requires them to rob stores as part of initiation rites.

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“Yesterday, we arrested 13 of them for various offenses, to show that we are serious against the grooming of children towards violence,” he added.

Authorities had earlier arrested 53 individuals allegedly involved in gangs that urge children to incite violence in schools after the Zamboanga incident.

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Remulla said that the DILG is actively monitoring social media threats and pursuing community-based gangs online.

“So this campaign will go on, it will not stop, we will work with the DepEd, we will work with the communities to make sure that the path forward is a safer environment for our children,” he said.

Remulla added that he remains open to dialogue and plans to meet with TBS members in Cavite next week to explain the government’s policy.

“Actually I will start in Cavite next week. I will initiate dialogue with True Brown Style there. I will lay out my policy,” he said.

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“They are rational individuals. Let’s see if we can talk through them. But if they’re really stubborn, we will see,” he added.  (with a report from Sheridan Delfino) /gsg