CAMP CRAME, Quezon City — Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla issued a public apology on Monday, April 13, 2026, taking “full responsibility” for the controversial arrest of a shirtless construction worker in Mandaluyong City.
The incident sparked immediate backlash online and from labor rights groups after police officers apprehended the laborer while he was mixing cement, citing a violation of the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) new “Safer Cities” initiative.
The “Safer Cities” program was recently launched to promote order, discipline, and respect in public spaces. However, the arrest of a worker performing his duties without a shirt—common practice in the country’s intense heat—was widely criticized as an overreach of police authority and an attack on the working class.
- Admission of Fault: During a press briefing at Camp Crame, Remulla admitted that the confusion stemmed from his own office. “Because my instructions were lacking, the police apprehended just anyone without a shirt. That’s wrong… and I take full responsibility,” he stated.
- Clarifying the Program: Remulla stressed that the initiative is not intended to penalize ordinary laborers or citizens engaged in work. Instead, it aims to curb “indecent” behavior in purely social public settings, not active work zones.
- Correction of Policy: The Secretary promised to issue “clearer instructions” to the Philippine National Police (PNP) to ensure that enforcement does not target workers or individuals whose circumstances require them to be dressed appropriately for manual labor.
The arrest occurred at a sensitive time, as the Philippines experiences record-breaking heat indices.
- Labor Advocacy: Groups argued that working shirtless is often a health necessity for construction workers, farmers, and laborers to avoid heatstroke.
- Social Media Outcry: Photos of the arrest went viral, with many Filipinos questioning why law enforcement resources were being spent on “shirtless workers” rather than more pressing criminal activities.
- Legislative Watch: Some lawmakers have called for a review of the “Safer Cities” guidelines to prevent potential human rights violations or discriminatory enforcement against the poor.
Following the apology, the DILG is expected to release a revised memorandum detailing the specific exemptions for workers and defining “public spaces” more clearly. The goal remains to foster a “disciplined” environment, but Remulla emphasized that this must be balanced with common sense and compassion for the labor force.
The Mandaluyong police have yet to issue a separate statement regarding the status of the laborer involved or whether the charges have been formally dropped following the Secretary’s intervention.