DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla talks to reporters, June 4, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Monday it would go after the True Brown Style (TBS), a gang allegedly recruiting minors and grooming them into criminal activities.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said TBS had allegedly been operating in the Philippines for decades, but recently became more organized and radicalized.
He said one of the group’s alleged initiation rites involved forcing recruits to rob convenience stores.
“At 16 years old, tinuturuan na sila magnakaw. Now this has become too much. Nag-command conference kami lahat ng pulis ngayon, gina-gather namin ang intel kung sino ang mga miyembro nito and we will get them,” he said.
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Remulla claimed TBS has chapters in several Metro Manila areas and other parts of the country, particularly in urban centers.
He said the group allegedly has a head at the barangay and municipal levels and conducts recruitment drives.
“Of the 83 provinces, I think nasa 78 na sila. ‘Yung iba malaki, ‘yung iba maliit pero mostly sa mga urban centers sila nagko-concentrate,” he said.
Remulla said the government’s “Safer Cities” monitoring efforts showed declines in several crimes, including rape, physical violence, physical injuries and violations involving minors, while robbery incidents increased.
Authorities then traced some of the reported robberies to TBS.
“Hindi katanggap-tanggap sa Republika ng Pilipinas na sila na ang may-ari ng kalye. We will take it back, the barangays, mawawala lahat ‘yan,” Remulla said.
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The PNP, meanwhile, said it intensified intelligence and community monitoring efforts to prevent the recruitment of minors into criminal activities.
“Our priority is to protect children from exploitation while holding those who prey on them accountable under the law,” PNP chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement.
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said it would intensify community coordination and information gathering in areas with suspected TBS members.
“We will not act on mere suspicion or association. Our personnel will gather evidence, validate information and pursue appropriate police action against those who are found to be involved in criminal acts,” NCRPO Officer-in-Charge PBGen. Christopher Abrahano said.
The NCRPO urged the public to report the alleged recruitment of minors or criminal activities to the nearest police station or through the 911 hotline. — With a report from Jeff Caparas, ABS-CBN News