Ambulant vendors storm city hall
2 MIN READ
By ALDWIN QUITASOL
www.nordis.net
BAGUIO CITY — The family of the ambulant vendor who died days after he was allegedly mauled by members of the Public Order and Safety Division (POSD) is likely to file murder raps against Baguio City Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan and POSD Chief Ret. Police Fernando Moyaen as well as the personnel suspected to be involved.
Ambulant vendor Oscar Caranto was allegedly dragged by members of POSD on June 24 as he was suspected of throwing stones at the POSD’s vehicle during the clearing operations against ambulant vendors at the Baguio City Public Market. He was brought by the personnel to their satellite office at the the Block III section and was allegedly mauled there according to accounts of some of the vendors.
The victim was confined at the Baguio General Hospital (BGH) on June 27. Caranto passed away on July 4.
On July 7, the family and friends including fellow ambulant vendors staged a condemnation-rally against the members of the POSD. The angry protesters paraded the coffin of Caranto inside the market and proceeded to the Baguio City Hall. They even brought the coffin inside the POSD office but no one else but a desk employee was there since it was lunch break that time.
The vendors slammed the doors and banged the chairs of the POSD office and shouted words of condemnation. They cried that the mayor should answer for the death of Caranto.
During his weekly “Ugnayan” on Wednesday, Domogan said that they are not covering-up the incident in favor of the POSD. He said they are waiting for the results of the on-going investigation by the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO). He said those proven guilty should be penalized in accordance with the law.
Domogan said that the city government through the POSD will still implement its policies against illegal vending and clear the main streets of the city from obstructions. The POSD anti-illegal vending task force consists of “job order” employees tasked to weed out ambulant vendors in the city. According to the mayor those who violate the law then they will be prosecuted.
Meanwhile, an online petition and signature campaign is being circulated by the Baguio multi-sectoral alliance Tongtongan Ti Umili (TTU) calling for a stop to the violence being inflicted by members of the POSD and even the police to the vendors and the rest of citizens. The petition also demands for the investigation of the incident and to bring those responsible to court and justice for Caranto and other victims of POSD abuses. # nordis.net
