MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government has launched a priority campaign to dismantle the True Blue Style (TBS) criminal syndicate following disclosures that the group has expanded into every local government unit in Metro Manila and established a foothold in 78 provinces nationwide.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla revealed the extensive reach of the community-based gang, noting its concentration in major urban hubs.
“They are in every LGU (local government unit) in Metro Manila. Of the 83 provinces, I think nasa 78 na sila (TBS members). ‘Yung iba malaki (organizations), ‘yung iba maliit. Mostly sa mga urban centers sila (TBS) nagko-concentrate,’’ Remulla explained.
According to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the organization traces its origins to California, USA, arriving in the Philippines approximately 25 years ago as a small collective before evolving into a widespread criminal network.
The DILG noted that TBS is primarily composed of individuals in their late teens to early twenties. However, senior members systematically groom and recruit youth as young as 14 to 15 years old for illegal operations.
“At 16 years old, tinuturuan na silang (new TBS members) magnakaw,’’ Remulla added.
Following orders from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to dismantle the group due to its alarming activities, the Philippine National Police and partner law enforcement agencies are actively gathering intelligence to track members and disrupt operations across the country.
The DILG emphasized that law enforcement efforts will persist to halt the exploitation of children, break up the syndicate’s network, and arrest its members.
Authorities also urged families and local communities to remain vigilant against criminal groups targeting young individuals and threatening local neighborhood safety.