Jonvic orders PNP crackdown on TBS
MANILA, Philippines — Saying their actions pose a threat to society, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla yesterday ordered a crackdown on members of the True Brown Style (TBS) group, which has infiltrated communities not only in Metro Manila but nearly all provinces.
Remulla directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to intensify operations against TBS members allegedly grooming minors into criminal activities such as robbing convenience stores.
He vowed to put a stop to the violence perpetrated by the group.
“This is unacceptable. We will get all of you,” Remulla told reporters after the distribution of 48 motorcycles to the Central Luzon police in San Fernando City.
Citing intelligence reports, Remulla said the TBS has presence in 16 cities and one municipality in Metro Manila as well as in 78 provinces, mostly in urban centers.
Remulla said they first observed the influence of the TBS following the strict implementation of the Safer Cities initiative, during which police recorded a spike in robbery cases while other crimes such as rape and physical injuries dropped.
“We traced all robbery cases to the TBS,” he said.
The group recruits potential members by ordering them to rob convenience stores and other establishments as a form of initiation, according to Remulla.
He said the TBS has leaders in every barangay and is intensifying its recruitment.
The PNP is strengthening early intervention measures to prevent young people from being drawn into the TBS and other criminal groups.
Instead of waiting for the TBS activities to escalate, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said police regional offices boost information gathering and coordination with local authorities to prevent the group from further influencing communities.
Nartatez urged the public to report recruitment of minors by the TBS or other crime rings.
abtestabtest Metro Manila water allocation cut as Super El Niño looms By Renalyn Ramirez | 14 hours ago Metro Manila’s water supply allocation will be reduced starting October as the government prepares for the potential... Nation PCG files case vs June Aster captain By Evelyn Macairan | 2 days ago The Philippine Coast Guard has charged Roel Sarmiento, captain of the fire-stricken MV June Aster, with falsification of public... Nation 40 students undergoing counseling for online threat offenses By John Unson | 6 hours ago Psychologists from the education and social welfare departments in Region 12 are cooperating in counseling 40 students apprehended... Nation NPA leader shot by companion now under military, police protection By John Unson | 4 days ago An official of the defunct New People’s Army shot and wounded by a companion after she sent surrender feelers to... Nation Muslim preacher killed, fellow cleric hurt in gun attack By John Unson | 7 hours ago Another Muslim preacher in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao was killed on Tuesday, September 29, in an... Nation Latest More in Nation Poor air quality persists in Metro Manila Marcos expands Cavite ecozone Bank exec found dead in Benguet Naga plebiscite set November 21 despite BSKE suspension abtest Tropical cyclone spotted outside PAR By Josiah Antonio | 1 hour ago A tropical cyclone has been spotted outside the Philippine area of responsibility, according to state meteorologists. Nation Quake jolts Occidental Mindoro By Josiah Antonio | 1 hour ago A magnitude 4.8 earthquake jolted Occidental Mindoro yesterday morning, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology... Nation American nabbed for harassment By Evelyn Macairan | 1 hour ago A 69-year-old American has been arrested in Pampanga for allegedly showing racist behavior against Filipinos, according... Nation Muslim preacher killed in Cotabato attack By John Unson | 1 hour ago A Muslim preacher was killed while another was wounded in an attack by unidentified motorcycle-riding men in Nabalawag, Cotabato... Nation No school shooting, faulty wiring blamed — Sultan Kudarat governor By Ian Laqui | 10 hours ago Mangudadatu said that the loud noises heard at Isulan National High School were not caused by a firearm and were likely “due... Nation Recommended Baste: I would have blocked GenCorp deals 1 day ago Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte faced the Senate impeachment court yesterday as a hostile witness,... NationSARA DUTERTE Gatchalian vows to block Sandigan budget cut 1 day ago Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian has vowed to block a proposed P551-million budget cut for the Sandiganbayan, arguing that... NationSHERWIN GATCHALIAN ‘VP can’t be compelled to admit bank accounts’ 1 day ago The Senate impeachment court yesterday denied the prosecution’s request for admission to compel Vice President Sara... NationIMPEACHMENT Cash houses September 30, 2026 - 12:00am Perhaps because Father Flavie Villanueva found him deserving of being heard, dismissed policeman Rodulfo Gracioso may face less skepticism about his story of grand thievery allegedly involving Vice President Sara...r NationRODULFO GRACIOSO Lord Allan Velasco out of Philippines, BI confirms 1 day ago No hold departure order or derogatory record prevented the ex-speaker's exit. NationBUREAU OF IMMIGRATIONCORRUPTIONIMMIGRATION next Recommended Baste: I would have blocked GenCorp deals Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte faced the Senate impeachment court yesterday as a hostile witness, reiterating that he was unaware that his sister, Vice President Sara Duterte, had a business interest in GenCorp Industries Inc. 1 day ago SARA DUTERTE Gatchalian vows to block Sandigan budget cut Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian has vowed to block a proposed P551-million budget cut for the Sandiganbayan, arguing that the anti-graft court needs more funding to handle a surge of high-profile cases involving lawmakers. 1 day ago SHERWIN GATCHALIAN ‘VP can’t be compelled to admit bank accounts’ The Senate impeachment court yesterday denied the prosecution’s request for admission to compel Vice President Sara Duterte to admit to some pieces of evidence, including the ownership of bank accounts, as it will be equivalent to self-incrimination. 1 day ago IMPEACHMENT Cash houses Perhaps because Father Flavie Villanueva found him deserving of being heard, dismissed policeman Rodulfo Gracioso may face less skepticism about his story of grand thievery allegedly involving Vice President Sara Duterte and former House speaker Lord Allan Velasco. 1 day ago RODULFO GRACIOSO Lord Allan Velasco out of Philippines, BI confirms No hold departure order or derogatory record prevented the ex-speaker's exit. 1 day ago BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION CORRUPTION IMMIGRATION OK Are you sure you want to log out? Yes No X Login Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!
