ILOILO City — An alleged knife attack on a city employee during a market clearing operation has prompted the Local Economic Enterprise Office (LEEO) to take legal action against an ambulant vendor, underscoring growing concerns over threats and intimidation faced by personnel enforcing market regulations.
The LEEO formally filed a case before the City Prosecutor’s Office on Aug. 19, a day after an altercation allegedly erupted while the Joint Clearing Operations Team was conducting clearing operations near the market at around 5 p.m.
According to the LEEO, the vendor had previously been warned against selling in unauthorized areas around the market.
“Ang bolantero una na nga gin-warningan nga indi magbaligya sa indi awtorisado nga mga lugar sa palibot sang merkado,” the LEEO said.
City personnel personally approached the vendor to discuss the situation and help resolve the issue, the office said.
The vendor was allegedly given opportunities to comply with procedures and regulations, but these were not followed.
The confrontation eventually escalated, with the vendor allegedly using a knife against a city employee.
“Apang, nag-escalate ang sitwasyon kag nagresulta sa altercation kag hana nga paggamit sang kutsilyo batok sa aton personnel,” the LEEO said in a statement.
Police intervened to maintain peace and order and protect city employees. The vendor was subsequently arrested for allegedly violating provisions of the Market Code and the Revised Penal Code.
The LEEO said the Aug. 18 confrontation was not the first time it had encountered problems with the vendor.
It claimed that previous incidents involving alleged threats against its personnel by the same vendor had already been documented and reported through barangay or police blotters.
The office also said it had repeatedly issued verbal and written warnings and advised the vendor to coordinate with the LEEO to process the necessary requirements and secure a number authorizing the vendor to sell in the market.
Despite the confrontation, the LEEO maintained that legal action was taken only after attempts to address the matter through dialogue and due process.
“Sa tanan nga tion, ang aton Opisina nagpakita sang paghangop kag pagpasensya kag nagpatuman sang due process,” the LEEO said.
The office said it had repeatedly sought to settle concerns through dialogue and provide vendors opportunities to comply with regulations without resorting to court action.
However, it stressed that legal action becomes necessary when violations persist or when alleged threats and intimidation interfere with city employees performing their official duties.
The LEEO said it would respect the legal process and await the appropriate resolution of the case.
It also appealed to ambulant vendors and the public to comply with regulations governing public markets and cooperate with clearing operations, while warning against threats or intimidation directed at government personnel.
“The City Government magapadayon sa pagpatuman sang mga kasuguan kag ordinansa sa patas, responsable, kag nagakaigo nga paagi, samtang ginasiguro ang safety sang aton mga empleyado kag ang kaayuhan sang publiko,” the LEEO said./PN