In their respective letters to Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, the traders said they have lost some P62,000 worth of merchandise because of what the traders considered as "robbery holdup" style of operation of the Department of Public Services (DPS).
The STAR obtained copies of the letters of Rowena del Rosario, Daisy Magat, Olivia Salvador and Thelma Balagay addressed to Atienza. The letters were received by the mayor’s office May 28.
"We have decided to appeal for your most effective action and assistance for our sad plight caused and perpetrated by the abusive and corrupt officials and personnel of DPS," the letter noted.
For his part, Atienza’s spokesperson Armand Sebastian shielded DPS personnel. "There was no harassment. The wares were seized by DPS because the vendors defied the no-vendor-on-the-street policy of the mayor."
He said the local government is currently implementing development programs in the area to attract investors and make the road passable to motorists.
The traders said the raid took place last April 17, during which the hawkers confiscated and hauled their merchandise for no apparent reason.
Del Rosario said they have asked the help of barangay, police and local government officials but DPS personnel continuously ignored the traders’ request to release their wares.
The traders said the money used in buying their wares was borrowed on a "five-six (5/6)" basis.
When the traders warned the hawkers that they would seek the help of the media for the immediate release of their wares, DPS personnel reportedly replied ‘walang media-media sa amin (we are not afraid of the media)." – Cecille Suerte Felipe