MPD clamps down on station chiefs over hawkers

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Police District director Chief Superintendent Rodolfo Magtibay has imposed a “two-strike” policy on his 11 police station commanders who fail to fully implement the city’s guidelines on orderly vending.

Under the policy, the station commander shall be relieved in case his area of jurisdiction has undisciplined vendors.

Magtibay implemented the policy after Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim witnessed vendors clogging up streets in Sta. Cruz.

He directed his station commanders to fully implement Lim’s Executive Order 8, which limits vendors to a table measuring one square meter, and only for certain hours of the day at designated areas.

Police officials, who requested anonymity, said the policy is too harsh for them since most of the vendors are protected by barangay or city hall officials.

“It’s damned if we do and damned if we don’t. We get the ire of barangay and local officials if we drive away the vendors, yet we are in constant fear of being relieved if we don’t act against them,” a police station official said.

There are reports that a police station commander receives at least P100,000 a week as protection money from vendors, especially those in areas frequented by shoppers and churchgoers.   

The vendors in Sta. Cruz and Quiapo also complained that disorderly vending happens right around the city hall building and yet these vendors continue to enjoy protection.  – Nestor Etolle