Vendor dies in MMDA operation

MANILA, Philippines - Police are investigating the death of a sidewalk vendor during sidewalk-clearing operation by Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) personnel in Quezon City yesterday.

Homicide probers of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) said an MMDA personnel allegedly punched Carlito Oriasel, 48, during a confrontation at past 9 a.m. at the corner of EDSA and Congressional Avenue, causing the victim to fall and hit his head.

Chief Inspector Ben Elenzano, QCPD–Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) chief, said Oriasel died at the Quezon City General Hospital (QCGH) where he was brought after the incident.

Vendor Albert Santos, 42, and the victim’s son-in-law, Wilmar Aabogade, 23, said they witnessed the incident and were able to take note of the license plate number (SGS-642) of the vehicle the suspect was riding.

Elenzano said they traced the number to the MMDA’s Sidewalk Clearing and Operations Group (SCOG), and the vehicle was driven by Em Habana.

Police found the vehicle at the MMDA-SCOG’s office in Pasig City yesterday afternoon and learned that it was dispatched at 7:50 a.m. and returned at 2:10 p.m.

Elenzano said they are asking MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando to have those who participated in the operation sent to the QCPD headquarters in Camp Karingal for identification.

“The mere fact that you punched the victim, who later died, you are liable… whether you intended to kill him or not,” Elenzano told The STAR.

MMDA-SCOG chief Bobby Esquivel said he has yet to receive a report about a vendor’s death.

“One fainted, but recovered. There wasn’t even a commotion. There was no untoward incident,” he said while confirming that anti-illegal vendor operations are conducted at the EDSA-Congressional area almost every week.

“Paulit-ulit, alam naman nilang bawal, eh yung isa pala ay maysakit (It happens again and again. They know it’s not allowed, and one of them happened to be sick),” Esquivel said, referring to the victim.

He said the MMDA will cooperate in the police investigation.