Council seeks inquiry on clearing of vendors

The Cebu City Council called for an  investigation into alleged cases of abuse committed by the Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification and Enhancement (PROBE) team against street vendors.

“I understand the need for beautification, especially now in the midst of the APEC meetings. But is it necessary to treat Cebuanos this way? Do we punch and kick them, treat them as a nuisance?” Councilor Alvin Dizon told reporters.

In a privilege speech yesterday, Dizon mentioned two instances in which PROBE team personnel maltreated street vendors.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said the City Legal Office will look into this.

“They (erring Probe team members) will be suspended or (ordered to go) on leave,” Rama told reporters.

Dizon cited last Tuesday’s incident in which Rocelyn Tanguilan, spokesperson of the United Small Vendors of Cebu City (USVCC), was arrested with her younger sister, Remafe, after they tried to stop PROBE members from dismantling her stall.

Detailed
A video taken by a civilian showed  the two women  trying to reach for their belongings that were brought to a PROBE vehicle when three team members pushed and kicked them away.

Acting PROBE chief Windell Cenas said his team  acted in self-defense after one of the two women  bit a team member.

He said they filed a a case against the Tanguilan sisters for resisting arrest.

The two women are detained at the Cebu City Police Station 5 in Carbon market.

Tanguilan was supposed to appear in yesterday’s City Council session to recount her experience.

Drop cases
Another vendor  Liza Yanquion said  she was punched in the face by a PROBE officer after she tried to take her container of cigarettes from him at the South Bus Terminal.

She said she was held by a PROBE officer that time.

“Probe is only performing its daily functions of clearing obstructions out of the roads. These vendors know they are not supposed to be selling there because we have cleared them out last June, but they still came back,” Cenas said.

The city council decided to provide lawyers for the Tanguilan sisters and Yanquion.

Their cases will also be reported to the Commission on Human Rights and the Ombudsman-Visayas.

City Councilor Sisinio Andales said it is likely that the Ombudsman will drop the cases.

“The city filed five cases against PROBE recently and they dropped all five almost immediately,” Andales said.

The councilor referred to complaints filed against clearing operations done by PROBE in barangay Capitol Site and Natalio Bacalso Avenue last June.

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