Market vendors threaten to file charges against Talisay

CEBU, Philippines - Vendors at the Tabunok Public Market have threatened to file charges against the Talisay City government for allegedly demolishing their stalls without a court order.

Sherwin Echavez, vice president of the dry goods section, said his group is now coordinating with other cause-oriented groups such as Sanlakas for the filing of charges against the government which they alleged demolished their stalls sans a court order.

Echavez has not join his fellow vendors in the new market in barangay Lagtang.

Since Monday, scavengers have swarmed the abandoned stalls inside the Tabunok Public Market and made off with items with value such as pieces of wood, electrical wires, GI sheets, iron bars, among others.

This happened as the stallholders were busy transferring their items to Lagtang.

Superintendent Eddie Recamara, officer-in-charge of Talisay City Police Station, said he has already deployed men to the area to investigate the allegation.

Recamara said at first he thought the order to demolish the stalls came from the stallholders themselves but who later on blamed the police for negligence.

Vendors however denied the allegation.

Cora Carlos, president of the dry goods section, said they are contemplating filing charges against the police and officials at city hall.

Carlos said her stall was among those cannibalized by scavengers.

Several vendors had already moved to the Lagtang market but a handful has remained at the old market in Tabunok to continue their strike.