Abusive POSD men

EDITORIAL

The death of Oscar Caranto, market vendor here along Kayang St. on July 4 here has shown the extent how government workers could abuse their position.

Reports said Caranto was dragged from the area and allegedly tortured by men of the Public Order and Safety Division men which led to his death.According to vendors, Caranto was arrested not because he was illegally selling his wares in the area but because he was suspected of throwing stones at a POSD vehicle where confiscated goods were placed.

Witnesses reportedly saw the government men bring Caranto to the POSD office Block III where he was reportedly severely beaten.

Now, vendors are asking the city government to stop abusive practices of the POSD when they make their rounds at the central business district particularly along the public market.

The city government has a law which prohibits ambulant vendors from selling anywhere particularly along sidewalks, streets and overpasses.

In a move to sooth the tense situation at the city market, top city officials directed the POSD to exercise maximum restraint in going after illegal vendors who used the situation to appeal for more compassion.

Vendors said it was better they were selling goods so their families will survive other than stealing or doing crimes like engaging in holdups. Be that as it may, the law is the law. If you sell illegally, expect sanctions or penalties but those imposing the law (like the POSD) have no right to physically hurt, much more kill somebody who breaks it.

Now cause-oriented groups are calling for an impartial investigation on the death of Caranto and punish the culprits. The city government, they are saying, should now come up with measures to address plight of the unemployed of the city particularly ambulant vendors who are forced to sell their wares out of necessity to feed their families.They said they wanted justice for the man who had become object of a rallying cry for justice against oppression of the poor.

POSD elements might be doing their job of trying to rid streets of “unsightly” vendors as the city government makes efforts to restore order along the streets and at the public market.

But then, it is a different matter when they physically hurt or kill people.Government agents have a right to defend themselves if attacked. But Caranto, according to reports, was just standing there unarmed when he was dragged Gestapo style by the POSD men. 

There is such a thing as due process and perpetrators are still presumed innocent unless proven guilty. But in the eyes of the public, they are as guilty as hell.

Groups are saying the death of Caranto should be an eye-opener for city officials and even line agencies to take a closer look and address policies on vending among issues likelack of livelihood opportunities, education and social justice among marginalized city residents.

Maybe it is also high time the existence of the POSD is studied. There had been clamor for this office to be dismantled like they have been dismantling stalls at the city market.

People are saying it should be the police who should be doing the job of maintaining and enforcing law and order. They are saying the timid mouse that is that POSD had become a large ravenous rat which now feeds on human blood in trying to instill fear among local vendors their authority.

As a popular saying goes: A little power is dangerous. This is more so when it is held by abusive nincompoops. People are saying Caranto wouldn’t have died if he had proper education and become a doctor, lawyer or a congressman. He died because he was a poor vendor and killed by government men who were supposed to be compassionate to him owing to his lowly stature in life. Now, his family is at wit’s end trying to survive. To the perpetrators: Napalalo unay inaramid yo Apo (What you did is too much)!