Despite public backlash over what critics described as a harsh and illogical decision to run after topless men on the streets, a total of 526 residents of Metro Manila were apprehended on Saturday, April 11, in the continuing enforcement of local ordinances in the National Capital Region (NCR).

The 526 arrested on Saturday were among the 5,894 persons apprehended since the ordinance implementation under the Safer Metro Manila initiative was launched on April 6.

Such a move was criticized in the social media as some people complained that the operation was conducted even on narrow alleys of crowded residential areas—and likewise targeted doing manual labor under the heat of the sun.

While enforcers would emphasize the Latin maxim “dura lex sed lex” or the law is harsh but it is the law, critics on the other hand, are pushing for “sensus communis” or common sense in enforcement due to the existing weather condition in the country.

It is not clear if the Philippine National Police would blink at least on the aspect of running after topless men but the operation against other violations that include smoking and drinking public places, curfew, littering and taking a leak alongside the road, and the use of videoke beyond 10 p.m. will continue.

Since the intensified campaign was launched on April 6, a total of 61,549 were apprehended—most of them were cases of drinking and smoking in public places with 18,904 violators.

Curfew violation arrests were 5,232 while 1,276 violations were recorded for unauthorized use of videoke.

In terms of case disposition, police said a total of 39,205 individuals who were arrested were warned or released; 21,317 were fined; and 1,027 cases were filed in court.

“This reflects a combination of strict enforcement and on-the-spot discretion depending on circumstances,” the PNP statement read.