Volunteers soliciting cash from commuters arrested

The operatives of the Cebu City Anti-Mendicancy Task Force arrested three volunteers of the Alay sa may mga Kapansanan Association, Inc. for openly soliciting cash from commuters particularly aboard public utility jeepneys plying along Osmeña Boulevard last week.

Erlinda Mascario, 47; Perlita Roma, 27 and Marites delos Santos, 31 were brought to the City Information Office and were made to explain before councilor Gerardo Carillo of the group's intention.

The group claimed that their organization is duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is accredited by the Cebu Sangguniang Panlalawigan by virtue of SB Resolution No. 3760.

It has been the practice of the group to ride public utility jeepneys and buses in twos or threes armed with their blue fliers which they hand over to passengers. After giving the commuters few minutes to read, they will ask for donations and leave.

The fliers state the group's objective, which is to help people with "physical handicaps".

"We look forward to the help of kind and charitable people through their monetary donations so that the association can give wheelchairs to those who desperately need them," the flier reads.

The fliers are signed by one Wilfredo Valencia, the group's area project coordinator.

Mascario asserted that they have been soliciting inside public vehicles since 2001 and have penetrated Quezon City, Manila and other cities and provinces in the country.

They even presented their identification cards bearing the name of the organization and signature of their head of office in Manila.

"Nganhi ra jud mi giing-ani. Voluntaryo ra ni amo. Dili man pud ni pamugos amo. Kung mohatag maayo. Wala man mi amo ani. Ginoo ra mag-igo nila," Delos Santos said.

Delos Santos denied having any knowledge of the anti-mendicancy ordinance of the city.

PO2 Celestino Alvarez, the arresting officer, said the task force had been monitoring and observing the group for days after receiving a number of complaints from the public.

Carillo, who serves as the action officer of the Cebu City Anti-Mendicancy Board, explained to the group that solicitation in whatever form on streets constitutes a violation of the anti-mendicancy ordinance.

He said it is the duty of the government to protect the public from unscrupulous individuals using the handicaps in pursuing their fraudulent schemes.

"You may have a good intention but you should follow the proper procedure. You should have coordinated with the Department of Social Welfare and Services. We have a program that gives assistance to differently-abled persons. You should not do it on the streets because this is tantamount to begging and we don't allow such," Carillo said.

Carillo added that a permit from the mayor should first be secured by the group before making solicitations.

Although no case was filed against the three offenders, Carillo made a stern warning to the group never to go back to the streets to solicit.

"We can excuse you this time but next time if the task force operatives catch you, we will not hesitate to file the necessary charges. You will be in jail unless you will post a bond," Carillo told them.

Carillo said the incident would serve as a stern warning to the other groups or individuals doing activities like that of the Alay sa may mga Kapansanan Association, Inc. - Garry B. Lao