MANILA, Philippines — At least 967 beggars, rescued from the busy streets of Metro Manila while asking for alms, would spend their Christmas this year at a government institution, a police official said yesterday.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Guillermo Eleazar said the beggars would be fed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Christmas before they are processed for their return to their provinces.

The NCRPO conducted 126 operations starting on Dec. 11 until yesterday and rescued 582 minors and 385 adults.

According to Eleazar, 210 of those rescued belonged to the Aeta community, 148 were Badjaos while 609 were stowaways or mendicants.

The rescue operations complied with Presidential Decree 1563, or the Mendicancy Law of 1978, he said.

“They are not only contributing to the worsening traffic situation during the holidays as they are also resorting to crimes by destroying the side mirrors of vehicles whose drivers fail to give them alms,” Eleazar said in an interview.

Eleazar said the Manila Police District topped the list of rescued indigenous persons with 349, closely followed by the Quezon City Police District with 322.

The Southern Police District rescued 213 beggars; Eastern Police District, 57; and Northern Police District, 26.

Eleazar said the operation does not discriminate against indigenous peoples since his order includes beggars roaming the streets.