Fearing hunger: 19 vendors sell vegetables, jailed in QC for ‘illegally selling goods’

MANILA, Philippines — Nineteen vegetable vendors have been detained in Anonas Police Station in Quezon City for allegedly “illegally selling goods” as an enhanced community quarantine remains in effect all over Luzon.

Flora Santos-Assidao, head of the progressive group Sanlakas, said the vendors were only selling their goods “for fear of going hungry” due to the proposed extension of the lockdown for another 15 to 20 days as announced by National Task Force (NTF) COVID-19 chief implementor Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr.

Assidao added that the vendors said they have not received food and financial aid from the local government.

“Unless this government finds a speedy way of delivering its promise of support to the people, the struggling poor will continue to find ways to survive on their own,” Assidao said in a statement Sunday.

But a report from the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) said they arrested the vendors on Saturday after receiving a complaint that they were illegally selling goods along Elliptical Road corner Maharlika Street Barangay Old Capitol Site in Quezon City at 5 p.m.

Police said the vendors will be facing charges for violation of City Ordinance 1364 series of 2003 or illegal street vending and Republic Act 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act.

KGA