ILOILO City – “We have never heard about or monitored individuals or criminal groups forcing Badjaos to go to the streets and ask money from the public.”
This Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) director Police Colonel Martin Defensor Jr. stressed when asked if there is a syndicate behind the proliferation of mendicant Badjaos in the city.
Still, said Defensor, the ICPO would be conducting an investigation.
“I already tasked my intelligence personnel to conduct monitoring,” Defensor said.
The city police director said there were reports that the Badjaos were sending to their families in Jolo, Sulu the money they collected here.
“Parang livelihood na nila ang pagpakalimos. Our government is spending much money for their fare back to Mindanao but they keep coming back. For them, mendicancy is an easy way to make money,” lamented Defensor.
Begging and giving alms to beggars are punishable under City Regulation Ordinance 2002-400.
Mendicants are liable to fines of P500, imprisonment of not more than a year, or both fine and imprisonment. On the other hand, giving to beggars is punishable by a fine of P500 or community service.
Also under the ordinance, any person, syndicate or group who utilize and exploit minors, disabled and infirm persons in the mendicancy trade shall suffer a penalty of P2,000 in fine and imprisonment of not less than two months./PN
