Vendors allege Tabunok market to be set on fire

CEBU, Philippines - Tabunok Public Market vendors, who are against moving to the new market in barangay Lagtang, claim they have been warned that the old market would be set on fire.

The Association of Tabunok Public Market officials Helen Ocampo, Marivic Lasquite, and Annaliza Candilada, in their report to the Talisay City Police Station Thursday morning, said that at 7 p.m. Wednesday while they were at the house of their fellow vendor in barangay Bulacao, they received a call from an unidentified person who said someone would burn down the market.

The male caller reportedly said “naay tawo mosunog sa merkado sa Tabunok.”

A day after Mayor Socrates Fernandez issued a notice to all vendors ordering them to vacate the old market, some vendors who are vocal against the transfer to the new market in barangay Lagtang, reportedly received the same warning.

City Administrator Richel Bacaltos said the city will not go to such lengths but would instead use diplomacy to persuade the vendors to transfer to the Lagtang market.

Bacaltos said they are positive that the vendors, albeit some of them are unwilling at this time, will concede to the mayor’s order to vacate the dilapidated building and use the new facility in Lagtang. (FREEMAN)