3 Talisay workers wounded in clash with street vendors

Three persons were wounded in a clash between an anti-sidewalk vending team and street vendors in barangay Tabunok, Talisay City, southern Cebu.

No one was able to identify who shot the left arm of Reynoso Macario, one of the task force members.

Nails and stones were also thrown at his co-workers Jerry Vetracorta and Felixberto Abadilla, who suffered injuries.

No arrests were made although two policemen accompanied the task force.

At least 32 task force members went to Molave Street to clear the area of vendors around 10 a.m.

Edwin Nierves, task force head, said they were implementing an executive order of Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez for vendors to cease and desist from selling along the road.

Notices were sent to the vendors last week.

The last warning was given the day before the clearing operation.

Trouble broke out when the vendors resisted after the task force started confiscating their goods.

During the commotion, bursts of gunfire were heard.

An injured Macario called out for help after he was shot. He and the two other wounded members were brought to the Talisay City District Hospital.

No arrests were made.

Allan Cabillon, one of the vendors, said it was a task force member who fired a gun.

Cabillon said vendors like him had no permits to sell in the area behind the Nacario Trade Center across the old Tabunok market because the mayor wouldn’t issue them one.

Another vendor, Nelson Bacaltos, said they will continue selling there even if the city government goes after them.

Vendors were directed to transfer to the Lagtang Market but most vendors refused since the old market is more accessible for customers.

A case is pending in court seeking the closure of the Nacario Trade Center in order to compel vendors to move to the new market in Lagtang.