5 QC street vendors detained for selling without permit; Sanlakas condemns arrest

MANILA, Philippines — Five street vendors were arrested and detained in Masambong police station, Quezon City after allegedly selling items without permit from the local government, police said Wednesday.

Masambong police chief Lt. Col. Rodrigo Soriano identified the street vendors as  Manuel Elizindo, 55, Rodel Hernandez, 40, Randy Francisco, 36, Agustin Elizandro, 49, Omar Quilisadio, 36.

Soriano said they arrested the five after receiving a complaint from Quezon City Market Development Administration Division that the vendors were selling fruits and vegetables along the sidewalk of Roosevelt Avenue corner Dangay Street, Barangay Veterans Village on Tuesday morning.

Soriano added that the vendors were reportedly obstructing traffic and violating social distancing during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

The five will face charges for violation of Quezon City Ordinance No. SP-1364, S-2003 which provides registration of street vendors and market vendors without stalls and Republic Act No. 11332  or Reporting of Noticeable Disease and Event of Public Health Concern Act.

Meanwhile, progressive group Sanlakas denounced the arrest of street vendors, saying the vendors are just working for their families amid the quarantine.

“Mariing kinukundina ng Sanlakas ang patuloy na panghaharass at panggigipit sa mga vendors. Tulad ng mga palengke, at supermarket, hatid ng mga vendors ang mahalagang serbisyong pamilihan para tugunan ang pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan ng mga komunidad lalo sa panahon ng kwarantinas,” read the statement.

(Sanlakas strongly condemns harassment against vendors. Just like public market, supermarket, vendors give essential services for communities especially during the quarantine.)

“Bukod dito, ang paghahanapbuhay ng mga vendors ay upang maitawid ang pangangailangan ng kani-kanilang pamilya,” it said.

(Aside from this, vendors are just working to provide the needs of their families.)