Following viral video: Labella wants guidelines in apprehending vendors

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella wants the Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification, and Enforcement (PROBE) personnel to observe rules of engagement in the conduct of clearing operations following a social media post that went viral last week.

The video shows three PROBE personnel manhandling a male vendor they apprehended outside a mall at the North Reclamation Area. Labella said the manner by which the PROBE personnel apprehended the fruit vendor was “intolerable and unacceptable.”

Labella said he will summon PROBE head Raquel Arce to come up with a proper guideline. The mayor said he is against the confiscation of goods from the sidewalk vendors.

He also wants PROBE personnel to exercise maximum tolerance in dealing with the sidewalk vendors. Labella said he wants all of these to be observed as rules of engagement in all future clearing operations involving sidewalk vendors.

Although he admitted that the conduct of the PROBE personnel involved in the viral video was unacceptable, their fate will depend on the result of the ongoing investigation conducted by the City Legal Office.

Whether they will be dismissed or not, Labella said it will depend on the recommendation of the investigating body. City Legal Officer Rey Gealon earlier said they have already looked into the incident.

Arce initially justified the actions of her personnel claiming that the fruit vendor subject of the apprehension was a recidivist. According to Arce, the vendor had been apprehended at least five times already prior to the incident last week.

She claimed that the vendor was apprehended in Sto. Niño, Manalili, along Carbon, and twice near Gaisano Main along Colon. He was also apprehended thrice in the area where he was caught on video.

But Labella said it is still not enough reason to “manhandle” the poor vendor.

"Maayo man gani na kay wa na manulis, wala mamaligya og illegal drugs," said Labella.

Meanwhile, Labella assured that the night market program can accommodate all the sidewalk vendors displaced by the road clearing operation. The mayor is hopeful that the design made by the famous Kenneth Cobonpue will attract more tourists to the night market. (FREEMAN)