Heads start rolling at Binondo station

The commander of the Binondo police station and a police community precinct head were relieved yesterday of their duties over their alleged failure to curb illegal vending in their area.

Relieved from their posts were Binondo (Western Police District Station 11) commander, Superintendent Efren Perez and Police Inspector Ramon Resote, the Ilaya police community precinct commander.

WPD director Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong said the relief of the two police officers was ordered by Manila Mayor Lito Atienza following the violent clash between street vendors and elements of the WPD’s District Special Operation Group and the Manila Anti-littering Task Force along Juan Luna and Ilaya Streets in Binondo last Thursday.

Several police officers and city hall personnel were hurt after a group of vendors attacked them with fists, rocks and bottles during clearing operations at about 4 p.m. Enforcers moved in after discovering that the roads have been closed to vehicular traffic due to the proliferation of vendors.

Five men who allegedly took part in the clash were later arrested by police.

"It pains me to relieve them (police commanders) but we have strict orders from Mayor Atienza to clear these areas of illegal vendors," Bulaong said.

The WPD chief ordered the chief of directorial staff, Superintendent Frumento Villareal, to temporarily replace Perez.

Earlier, an angry Atienza ordered Bulaong to immediately relieve Perez "for his failure to enforce the no-vending policy along Juan Luna and Ilaya, which serve as main access roads to Divisoria, the city’s biggest flea market.

The two streets were among those declared as no-vending areas during the Vendors Summit held at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila three weeks ago.

"We cannot tolerate police officers who take their responsibilities in such a cavalier manner. I personally talked to him (Perez) several times in the past and specifically told him to keep Ilaya and Juan Luna clear of vendors, and he promised to do so. This is a clear failure on his part," Atienza said.

The mayor said he has received reliable information that "protection money" has been made available to allow vending in the area. "Open na raw ang Juan Luna at Ilaya dahil mayroon nang nakalaan, this is probably why my clear directive to keep these streets free from vendors was not followed."

Atienza warned other police station commanders that they face relief and possible administrative charges if they fail to keep no vending areas in their respective jurisdictions free of vendors.