More security measures have been implemented in Valenzuela City as part of Mayor Wes Gatchalian's initiative to combat street gangs.
After almost a year of Mayor Gatchalian's investigation into the presence of street gangs in the city, it was found that 80% of public schools in the area have been infiltrated by these groups.
In an interview on Damdaming Bayan on Friday, Mayor Gatchalian emphasized that street gangs are different from criminal gangs. These groups specifically target young people, some as young as 9 years old, because they are not yet legally accountable for their actions.
"Ang pakay po niyan, nagre-recruit ng mga menor de edad dahil alam po nila na makakatakas po sa batas at hindi po natin pwedeng kasuhan at ipakulong. Ang iba po ay nagpapasok na ng kutsilyo at brass knuckles sa loob ng school," said the mayor.
Mayor Gatchalian has been persistent in finding solutions to address this issue. At a press conference held in the city last July 16, titled ‘Bawal ang Street Gangs sa Valenzuela’, he declared 13 street gangs as persona non grata after they were allegedly found influencing the youth to engage in drug use, curfew violations, riots, and hazing.
In Resolution No. 3467, Series of 2025, the city government of Valenzuela identified the following street gangs as persona non grata:
- True Brown Style (TBS)
- Little Brown Style (LBS)
- Temple St. (TST)
- Bagong Bario (BB) Hood
- North Valenzuela Clique - Insane Saitan Disciple (NVC ISD) Hood
- PMC Hood
- Nortenos Loccos
- Deathrow Hood Valenzuela Locos
- Varrio Latino
- TST - Rosario Hood
- TBS - Disiplina Village Lingunan
- Piru Hood - Disiplina Village Lingunan
- Original Trouble Maker Gang (OTM)
Gatchalian emphasized that these gangs are not allowed to enter the city's jurisdiction.
Following the declaration, some members of street gangs have issued apologies. However, others reportedly formed new groups to continue their recruitment efforts.
The mayor then assured the Valenzuela community that heightened security measures are already being strictly implemented to control, or ideally eliminate, the recruitment and presence of street gangs in the city.
