MANILA, Philippines — Two senators on Saturday expressed concern over the violent arrest of a vendor in Parañaque City by members of a city task force, as seen in a video that went viral online.
The viral video showed more than five members of the Parañaque City Task Force aggressively arresting the vendor, after he apparently did not surrender his “kariton” (pushcart).
Senator Panfilo Lacson, in a tweet, said enforcers should be merciful to the vendor, who needs the pushcart for his livelihood.
“Justice and the rule of law must prevail but there is nothing wrong if mercy may overrule justice.
That poor vendor’s ‘kariton’ may be his family’s only lifeline. I am doing something about this,” said Lacson, reacting to the video.
Justice and the rule of law must prevail but there is nothing wrong if mercy may overrule justice.
That poor vendor’s “kariton” may be his family’s only lifeline.
I am doing something about this.— PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) January 23, 2021
Senator Nancy Binay, for her part, underscored that the enforcers should have helped the vendor instead of resorting to force.
“Even the strictest law has a heart in the right place. In these trying times, compassion & the desire to help those in need should be the moral compass. Imbes na saktan, unawain at tulungan na lang sana
(Understand the vendor’s situation and help him instead) #karitonlessons #wagmosilangipagtulakan,” she wrote in a separate tweet.
Even the strictest law has a heart in the right place. In these trying times, compassion & the desire to help those in need should be the moral compass. Imbes na saktan, unawain at tulungan na lang sana #karitonlessons #wagmosilangipagtulakan https://t.co/OYlvx74Sol
— Senator Nancy Binay (@SenatorBinay) January 23, 2021
Since the enhanced community quarantine was imposed in mid-March last year, several incidents of human rights abuse conducted by the local government officials as well as the police had been reported. The incidents of abuse reportedly happened as law enforcers implemented health standards to contain the spread of Covid-19.