In Manila, thieves get the stick (5)
I believe the answer is:
lathi
'the stick' is the definition.
(lathi is a kind of stick)
'in manila thieves get' is the wordplay.
'in' indicates a hidden word.
'LATHI' can be found hidden inside 'manila thieves get'.
(Other definitions for lathi that I've seen before include "club in India" , "may give wallop to dacoit" , "Indian policeman's stick" , "Heavy iron-bound stick used for crowd control by police in India" , "Indian police baton" .)