Street vendor accuses Manila authorities of consuming seized items from clearing ops

A street vendor has accused the Manila government’s quick response team of benefitting from the merchandise taken from them during clearing operations amid the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

According to a report on “Stand for Truth,” Teresita Babilla was able to save only her vegetables after authorities seized the wares of street vendors in Recto, Manila.

“Lahat ng tao ng QRT, sila rin pala ang nakikinabang kasi ang paninda ko nakaka-kain.  Mineral, soft drinks, biskwit,” Babilla said.

“Kaya ko napatunayan kasi naaktuhan ko po sa San Sebastian. Mga tao lang din na nanghuli sa amin, sila rin pala ang nakikinabang,” she added.

Babilla has lost her livelihood numerous times during the lockdown. She wonders now how she could repay the P30,000 she borrowed as capital.

“Nagkataoon lang na araw ng Ninoy Aquino kaya po kami nagtinda. Naglakas-loob ako manghiram ng puhunan para makatinda lang. Wala naman po kaming ayuda kahit pandemic,” Babilla said.

Babilla also showed a bruise  she sustained from the encounter with authorities during the clearing operations. 

“Maya pasa pa nga ako. Puwersahan nilang kinuha ‘yung kariton ko. Okay lang sana kung kinuha lang nila ‘yung kariton, hindi pati pandinda, eh, ‘yung paninda ko galing 5-6 ‘yun kasi galing pandemic kami,” she added.

Though she knows that selling on the sidewalk is prohibited in the city, she pushed through in hopes of earning to pay her bills.

“Lalo kami isang dosena kami. Isipin mo may PWD ako. Pilit na po kaming sinisingil sa bahay kasi limang buwan na po kaming hindi nakakabayad,” she said.

“Ano bang kasalanan namin? Gumagawa lang kami ng paraan para makakain dahil pandemic. Kaya nakikipagsapalaran kami kahit barya-barya kumita ka lang,” she added.

Meanwhile, the Manila City government said it does not condone such wrongdoings  from its personnel.

“Kung sila ay naagrabyado ng ating Hawkers Bureau o ng ating DPS, they can anytime file a complaint in may office,” Manila City Administrator Felix Espiritu said.

“’Yan ay haharapin natin at kung totoo na sila ay sinaktan o inagaw ‘yung paninda nila o kinain ng mga tao namin, paparusahan namin ‘yung mga tao namin. Hindi pu-pwede ‘yun,” he added.—Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News