Probe sues cellphone vendors

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City’s Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification and Enhancement (PROBE) team filed charges for direct and indirect assault against the sidewalk vendors who blocked the clearing operation along Leon Kilat and Sanciangko streets last Saturday evening.

“This is not my personal conviction. This is on my official capacity. I have to let them know nga naay balaod unya agent ko in authority unya I have to enforce what is mandated,” said Raquel Arce, PROBE chief.

During the clearing operation, Roel Tabasa, one of the members of the team was allegedly attacked by six sidewalk vendors and sustained eight wounds on his head.

Tabasa is still on leave at present and will report in the office next week.

“If only peaceful ang ilang pagdeklarar namo nga operation, wala lang unta sila ni attack o ni harass, dili gyud unta to mahitabo,” said a vendor for eight years who refused to be named.

She said that those who fought back were hurt emotionally because of the big capital invested in the business.

“Nasakitan sila kay mahal man capital sa cellphones niya gamay nga guba di na mahalin,” she said.

“Wala man ko mosukol. Mihangyo mi human sa clearing. Niadto mi sa City Hall nga pabalikon lang mi. Mahadlok mi dili motuman. Dili na niya mi pabalikon og tinda. Wala mi ikapakaon sa among mga anak,” she said.

Arce is scheduling a meeting with the city administrator and the Muslim leaders to settle the matter after she received communication from them.

With regards to the confiscated cellular phones, she said she will not return those because those part of the evidence.

“This is my second operation sa cellphone. Sa una nauli man ang uban nga nakapakita sila og ownership. Karon unsaon man nato pag-ila nga iyaha na nga nagkagubot man,” she said.

Earlier, she said that these vendors caused congestion along the sidewalk and there were reports that they sold snatched cellular phones during nighttime.

“Ingon sila nga anti-Muslim ko. I have to prove you wrong kay gani during my time as Market Administrator adunay mga Muslim brothers nga nakakuha og pwesto sa Freedom Park with my help also,” she said. – (FREEMAN)