Clearing of vendors turns violent

CEBU, Philippines - Tension rose when the Cebu City’s Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification and Enhancement (PROBE) conducted clearing operations of vendors along the sidewalks of Leon Kilat and Sanciangko streets Saturday evening.

The clearing order was in response to the numerous complaints, said PROBE chief Raquel Arce.

“Nag-cause sila  og traffic problem (corner Emall) and ang atong sidewalk di na halos maagihan,” Arce said.

There were also reports that these vendors sell snatched cellular phones at night along Sanciangko St. and nearby areas.

PROBE personnel reportedly confiscated several cellular phones from the sidewalk dealers which resulted to the commotion and injury of one of the personnel.

Roel Tabasa sustained eight wounds in his head after he was allegedly attacked by six sidewalk vendors during the said operation at 6:30 in the evening.

“Kami ang naay nasamdan and grabeng dugo ang among kauban,” Arce said.

Arce also belied allegation that a minor was hit by her staff during the commotion.

“Gilabayan mi og bangko, didto nag start ang commotion. They resisted sa order and assaulted one of my staff,” Arce said.

Arrested cellphone dealers were Rasheed Hadjirasul, 21, Salic Malawi, 22, both of Kinasang-an, Pardo, Cebu City and a 17-year old male who are currently detained at Police Station 5.

All the confiscated items are still in her custody and will be turned over today to the Cebu City Police.

Arce said they will file charges against the three apprehended vendors.

“Nag-andam na mi sa among affidavit. I want to teach them a lesson because not ordinary person ang ilang gibangga,” she said.

Arce said the vendors who attacked Tabasa also allegedly stole his handheld radio, cellular phone and belt bag.

“Nag-clearing ra mi, trabaho lang ang amo pero ang gibuhat nila namo (vendors) sobra ka disrespectful. Wala nila gi-respect the person in authority knowing nga legitimate among operation,” Arce stressed.

Malawi, Hadjirasul and the minor denied the allegations saying that they were just standing at the scene watching when the commotion started.

Malawi and Hadjirasul said they got curious watching across the street inside a computer shop where they are employed.

They claimed that they did not do anything but they were arrested upon Arce’s order.

They told The FREEMAN that the commotion erupted allegedly after a PROBE personnel slapped Malawi’s nephew several times.

But the 17-year-old said he tried to stop PROBE personnel from arresting his brother, a cellphone dealer.

The three suspects will face four different charges of resistance and disobedience to a person in authority, direct assault, and serious physical injury.

A robbery charge will also be filed against them for allegedly taking the belt bag, a handheld radio and a cellphone of the clearing team members during the commotion. — Kristine B. Quintas and Bryner L. Diaz, Correspondent/GMR (FREEMAN)