More than 100 men, who were either caught drinking on the streets or suspiciously loitering in the poorly-lit places of Sta. Cruz and Quiapo districts, were rounded up by elements of Manila Police District (MPD) during their anti-criminality campaign before dawn Thursday.

The so-called “purging”of the streets in Quiapo and Sta. Cruz districts was a part of the program of the MPD-Station 3 to make the area a safe place for students and transients, especially now that different schools and universities would open next month.

“Now that classes will once again resume in the different schools and universities in Manila, we just wanted to assure the public that we are doing are part in maintaining the peace and order situation of our district,” Super intendent James Afalia, newly installed station commander of the MPD-Station 3, told the Manila Bulletin in a telephone interview.

Law enforcers simultaneously conducted their anti-criminality operation between 3:15 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. , Thursday, and brought some 105 men in the station.

“Some of the men rounded up during the saturation drive were even caught drinking beer on the streets,” he said.