Police have arrested more than 24,000 individuals in the first two days of the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) Safer Cities Initiative in Metro Manila, officials reported Wednesday.

The bulk of the arrests involved people drinking alcohol and smoking in public, followed by those shirtless in public areas and minors violating curfew ordinances. Authorities also reported over 500 arrests for late-night karaoke violations.

According to Police Major Hazel Asilo, spokesperson for the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), more than 200 individuals have been formally charged, over 6,000 were fined, and the remaining 18,000 received warnings.

Total fines collected exceeded 5.6 million pesos, which will be remitted to local government units across Metro Manila.

One man died after reportedly suffering a heart attack while attempting to flee an operation in Taguig. The suspect was allegedly involved in illegal drug activity. Four others apprehended with him remain in police custody.

“Nalaman lang po ng aming mga tropa ang kanilang patrolling… inatake siya sa puso, nadala naman siya sa ospital kaya lang dead on arrival,” Asilo said.

The Safer Cities Initiative, launched by Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, is part of intensified anti-criminality operations aimed at enforcing local ordinances and maintaining public order across Metro Manila.