QC wants ECQ enforcers probed for hitting vendor

MANILA, Philippines — The head of Quezon City’s Task Force Disiplina (TFD) has recommended the suspension of his men who were caught on video beating a fish vendor in front of a condominium on Panay Avenue.

But the QC TFD action officer, Councilor Rannie Ludovica, said that despite his recommendation, he would follow the decision of the city’s legal affairs department which was now investigating the matter.

The Quezon City government said it had ordered a full-blown investigation of the incident as it ordered its personnel to “observe compassion and tolerance” in enforcing enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) protocols.

It added that any TFD member found to have acted unlawfully or improperly would face charges.

“The city government shall never condone any acts of violence or violation of human rights, regardless of reason or justification, especially when committed by an official or employee of the city government or any of the city’s barangays,” it added in a statement.

Viral video

On Monday, at least five TFD members were captured in a viral video beating with a stick and arresting 38-year-old fish vendor Michael Rubuia.

Ludovica, however, defended the use of a stick, saying it was a form of “reasonable force” against violators who refused to follow authorities.

Rubuia, who sustained several wounds and abrasions from the incident, was brought by barangay officials to Quezon City General Hospital. He has since been detained at the Kamuning police station on charges of resistance and disobedience to persons of authority.

Rubuia is not the first vendor to be arrested in the city. Two groups of vendors were earlier arrested, detained and then freed on bail for selling goods despite the ECQ.

In an emergency meeting with task force members on Wednesday, Ludovica told them to be more considerate and “sacrifice their ego and pride.”