Public market vendors deny spreading "bomb" rumors

CEBU, Philippines - Vendors of the soon-to-be closed Tabunok public market yesterday denied they spread rumors about two bombs that were placed in Talisay City hall Monday's as stalls in the new market in barangay Lagtang were raffled off.

 Paul Labalan, the group's spokesperson, said there may be a person or a group of persons who are trying to muddle the issue.

He said that although they are opposed to the government's move to transfer them to the Lagtang market, they have already warned their members not to make any drastic action that is against the law or may cause injury to any one.

Thus, their actions are confined to lobbying their concerns with the city government officials and peaceful protest rallies, he said.

The report on the bomb threat happened while several vendors and some city hall personnel were inside the People's Hall last Monday to raffle off the stalls of the Lagtang market.

According to the report, two bombs were planted inside the city hall.

Meanwhile, Chief Inspector Eddie Recamara, officer-in-charge of the Talisay City Police Station, said the police immediately went to the city hall after learning of the report from the media.

He said they checked every nook and cranny of the huge building.

It can be recalled that in one of their meetings, one of the vendors reportedly received a text message which said the Tabunok public market would be bombed.

This report came after Mayor Socrates Fernandez late March ordered the transfer of all vendors to Lagtang. – THE FREEMAN