Lugaw row: Delivery man cries harassment, asks for help
MANILA, Philippines — The food delivery crew in the viral “lugaw” incident in San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan, has appealed for help after being allegedly “harassed” by two men who sought to close down the restaurant selling the comfort meal.
In a Facebook live, delivery man Marvin Ignacio said he witnessed two men presenting the closure order to “Lugaw Pilipinas” on Thursday night.
Ignacio, however, said the serving of the closure order seemed suspect because the document the two men showed does not look like an original copy.
He also pointed out that the order was served during curfew hours, and that the two men were merely in civilian clothes and unaccompanied by either barangay watchmen or police mobile.
“Sana po matulungan ninyo kami. Pinagi-initan na naman ‘yung Lugaw Pilipinas. May nagpunta po doon, tama po ba ‘yun? Pasensya na po ha, kasi natatakot talaga ako… Baka saktan nila ako kasi ang tatapang nila eh,” Ignacio, who was in tears, said in his Facebook live video.
“Kahina-hinala ‘yung galaw nila. Wala silang kasamang barangay tanod, wala silang [police] mobile. Naka-motor lang talaga sila, tapos ang gusto nila isara ‘yung tindahan kasi mayroon daw silang memo na pinapakita,” he added.
He then alleged that the men shouted at him at some point.
Ignacio sought help as he lamented that they cannot continue with their livelihood because of the recent incident.
“Sana po may makatulong sa amin talaga para matapos na itong gulo na ito kasi hindi kami makapag-hanapbuhay ng maayos kung lagi na lang ganyan eh. Bakit ganun pumunta sila dalawa lang sila, napaka-unofficial ng lakad nila?” Ignacio said.
A woman, who can be heard on the video, said that even if the closure order was official, it should have been presented in the morning and not during curfew hours.
“Kami po nagha-hanapbuhay lang kami. Wala naman kaming ibang gusto. Tapos ginaganyan nila kami,” Ignacio said.
Ignacio underscored the confusion in the implementation of the rules, especially after they had a meeting with officials of Barangay Muzon earlier Thursday wherein it was settled that the food store can still operate as long as safety protocols are being followed.
Ang Opisyal na Paghingi ng Paumanhin ng mga kawani ng Barangay ukol sa isyu ng “LUGAW”
Posted by Barangay Muzon on Thursday, April 1, 2021
“Hindi nila kami titigilan. Paano naman po ‘yung buhay namin dito kung hindi na po ako makakabyahe? Sa totoo lang, nahihirapan na rin ako. Grabe na rin ang stress na naiduluot sakin nito. Hindi ko naman kagustuhan na mag-trending ito,” Ignacio said.
“Paano naman kaming maliliit na mamamayan na gusto lang mabuhay? ‘Wag niyo naman po kaming ganun-in. ‘Wag niyo kaming bully-hin,” he added.
The confrontation between the delivery man and barangay officials went viral this week, and triggered talks about whether lugaw or rice porridge – popular comfort food in the country – is essential.
READ: Lugaw delivery stopped in Bulacan; barangay execs say it’s not essential
READ: Absurd questions on ‘lugaw’? Blame it on unclear ECQ rules — Reyes
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque even had to subsequently articulate that lugaw – a warm, savory dish mainly consisting of glutinous rice and stock or broth, and sometimes known as pospas – and other food items are considered essential goods and their delivery should remain unhampered even in areas under enhanced community quarantine.
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