‘Abusive’ POSD men explain action vs vendor

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – The Public Order and Safety Division Enforcement Section on Thursday said their action against the taho vendor caught in a video that sparked outrage from netizens in the social media was not deliberate.

Section head Security Officer II Bromeo Lumiib, in a letter to Mayor Mauricio Domogan dated Feb. 7 said the video footage showed that there was no intent to harm anyone but the vendor, instead of yielding to the enforcers, resisted and fought to keep his merchandise while the operatives who were also intent on fulfilling their mandate, insisted on confiscating the taho container.

“This particular instance was the cause when the vendor lost balance with his taho merchandise coincidentally spilled to the ground,” Lumiib said.  

Lumiib said the vendor identified as Benedict Seno had been a habitual offender having been apprehended by roving enforcers for the same violation of illegal vending at the same place multiple times over the years.

“He was apprehended on Dec. 9, 2017, Aug. 4, 2018, Jan. 6, 2019 and Feb. 2, 2019 and these were aside from the previous warnings and instances when he was able to make good his escape,” Lumiib said.

There were also times when he was simply ignored as he was always aggressive against the enforcers, one POSD personnel said.

Lumiib said Seno has a special permit issued by the city government to sell taho as a roving vendor at St. Joseph Village barangay but he kept on crossing over to the Botanical Garden parking area where vending is strictly prohibited.

On Feb. 2 he was chanced upon by members of the POSD Roving Team 1 again selling at the prohibited spot and that was when the commotion happened.

“Concerning the alleged intentional throwing of the taho merchandise by the apprehending enforcers, the POSD is strict and will not tolerate the occurrence of such reported unnecessary action by anyone among its enforcers,” Lumiib said.

POSD Chief Paul Cambod said the POSD is committed to its maximum tolerance rule and anyone who will be duly found violating the policies and abusing their authority will be subject to dismissal.