MANILA, Philippines — Authorities arrested at least 58 affiliates of the community-based gang True Brown Style (TBS) among 200 individuals taken into custody during the September 21 demonstration in Mendiola, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed Wednesday, October 7.
Remulla stated that official investigations established the identities of the 58 individuals, highlighting their “propensity for violence.” The announcement follows the recent arrest of 13 other TBS members for various offenses under a broader crackdown against organizations allegedly recruiting minors into criminal activities.
“Yesterday, we arrested 13 of them for various offenses, to show that we are serious against the grooming of children towards violence,” Remulla said.
Traceable to origins in California, United States, TBS evolved from a small localized faction into a nationwide criminal network operating across Metro Manila and 78 provinces. Composed mostly of young adults in their late teens and early twenties, the group allegedly forces recruits—some as young as 14—to commit robberies as part of their entry rites.
The crackdown follows the prior arrest of 53 individuals linked to gang-led student recruitment in the wake of an incident in Zamboanga.
Remulla reiterated that the DILG remains vigilant against digital threats and online gang activity.
“So this campaign will go on, it will not stop, we will work with the DepEd (Department of Education), we will work with the communities to make sure that the path forward is a safer environment for our children,” Remulla explained.
Despite ongoing enforcement operations, the Interior Secretary expressed a willingness to engage in talks with gang leaders to outline government enforcement protocols, scheduling an upcoming meeting in Cavite.
“Meron na (dialogue). Actually I will start sa Cavite next week. Kakausapin ko yung mga True Brown Style d’yan. I will lay out my policy. They are rational individuals. Tingin ko naman madadaan natin sa usapan. Pero kung makukulit talaga sila, eh di pasensyahan kami,” he added.
However, Remulla stressed that any dialogue remains contingent on the group dismantling its illegal operations. Addressing the gang’s public outreach initiatives, he dismissed their civic projects as deceptive measures intended to evade law enforcement scrutiny.
“Feeding programs and other charitable activities are cosmetic attempts,” Remulla insisted, emphasizing that such efforts will not insulate members from prosecution.
“That’s their version of the truth, and we have our version. They know what they are doing. ‘Yang cosmetic attempts na ‘yan (charity) doesn’t hide the truth,” Remulla emphasized.
“They (TBS members) are really behind sa mga kalokohan na ginagawa ng mga kabataan ngayon (They are really behind today’s minors’ misdeeds),” he added.