World · Philippines Bureau
Interior Department targets criminal gang recruiting Filipino minors
Philippine authorities have launched an information-gathering operation against True Brown Style, a criminal organization that has drawn national attention for its recruitment of children and young people. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the gang primarily comprises members in their late teens and early twenties.
LSN Philippines ·
The Department of Interior and Local Government has begun compiling intelligence on members of True Brown Style (TBS), which has emerged as a significant law enforcement concern across the country. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla disclosed the operation on Wednesday, describing the group as predominantly made up of individuals in their late teens and early twenties.
The criminal organization has drawn scrutiny from national authorities due to its systematic recruitment of children, marking a shift in criminal gang operations in the Philippines. The practice of enlisting minors into criminal networks poses additional challenges for law enforcement agencies tasked with addressing youth involvement in illicit activities.
Remulla's announcement signals the DILG's commitment to disrupting the gang's operations and dismantling its recruitment networks. The information-gathering phase represents an initial step toward identifying members and understanding the organizational structure of the group, with further enforcement actions likely to follow.
The focus on TBS reflects broader concerns among Philippine law enforcement about criminal gangs' expansion into younger demographics. Authorities have indicated that addressing the group's recruitment practices will be central to their operational strategy moving forward.