12 hurt as vendors clash with city demolition team

CEBU - Twelve people were hurt, one of them a policeman, after Cebu City demolition team personnel removed Santo Niño vendors and their wares from the front of the main gate of the Basilica del Santo Niño.

Vicente Mercado, chief of the Squatters Prevention and Encroachment Elimination Division said a team assisted by PO1 Jeffrey Bernal made a surprise check and rounded up mobile stalls of vendors selling in front of the main gate of the church past 1 p.m. yesterday.

However, the vendors fought back against SPEED personnel leading to a scuffle that left icons and other religious items scattered in the street.

Mercado said Bernal was scratched in the face after a woman jumped on his back and clawed at him.

Three SPEED personnel also sustained bruises and cuts from attacks by vendors, most of them women.

Mercado said the vendors already promised Vice Mayor Michael Rama that they will not sell in front of the main gate.

“But they disobeyed it several times and when we received a call from a citizen that traffic was building up, we immediately strike into action,” Mercado said.

Mercado said he ordered his men to have the incident recorded at the police station.

On the other hand, vendor Merlinda Batiller said eight of them went to the doctor after allegedly being attacked by SPEED personnel during the incident.

She said they sustained cuts, bruises and sprains while their merchandise were also confiscated.

Batiller said they were not given any place in the makeshift stalls along Jakosalem St. while other vendors were given double spaces.

“Moinsister gyud mi nga mutinda mi dire kay wala mi puesto, gadoble ang uban, asa may tubag sa among problemang mga tindera?” Batiller said.

The vendors said they will still sell at the said area no matter how many times they will be arrested. — Ferliza C. Contratista/BRP   (THE FREEMAN)