TBS: Don't generalize members as criminals

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True Brown Style (TBS) Worldwide on Thursday urged authorities not to generalize or treat all members as criminals amid the government's crackdown against its organization.

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

“Marami sa amin ay professionals, workers, parents, business owners, at ordinaryong mamamayang sumusunod sa batas,” it added.

(Many of us are professionals, workers, parents, business owners, and ordinary law-abiding citizens.)

According to the group, some TBS members even help their communities and support people in need.

TBS Worldwide acknowledged that authorities have a responsibility to pursue individuals involved in criminal activities, particularly those involving minors.

The group called on authorities to hold accountable those who commit crimes, while ensuring that allegations are backed by evidence and involved persons are given due process.

“Kung may kriminal — hulihin ang kriminal. Kung may ebidensya — ilabas ang ebidensya. Kung may paglabag — panagutin ang lumabag. Pero huwag gawing dahilan ang ilang alegasyon para husgahan ang isang buong community,” TBS Worldwide said.

(If there is a criminal — catch the criminal. If there is evidence — release the evidence. If there is a violation — hold the violator accountable. But don't use a few allegations as a reason to judge an entire community.)

“WE DON'T ASK FOR SPECIAL TREATMENT. WE ASK FOR FAIR TREATMENT. Hindi kami humihingi ng proteksyon sa batas. Respeto at due process lang,” it added.

(WE DON'T ASK FOR SPECIAL TREATMENT. WE ASK FOR FAIR TREATMENT. We are not asking for protection from the law. Just respect and due process.)

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Wednesday said members of the community-based criminal gang TBS have established a presence in all local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila and in 78 provinces.

EXPLAINER: Where did the TBS gang come from?

Remulla described cases involving TBS as extremely alarming that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered authorities to dismantle the organization.

According to authorities, the group is composed largely of members in their late teens and early 20s and also recruits children as young as 14 to 15 years old and grooms them for criminal activities. Initiation rites for new members may include robbing convenience stores at gunpoint. —VAL, GMA News