Anti-vendor enforcers get nasty in QC

A 12-year-old student and two other persons were allegedly beaten up by members of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in an anti-illegal vendor operation in Quezon City the other night.

The boy was brought to the hospital for treatment after being hit with steel pipes in the body.

Police identified the other victims as Victor Evangelio and Ian Gonzaga.

According to investigators at the Central Police District-Criminal Investigation Unit, the incident happened about 5:15 p.m. Tuesday near a food supply firm at the corner of Abra street and Congressional Avenue, where the two men worked.

While conducting clearing operations, MMDA enforcers armed with steel pipes, began hitting the trio. The suspects then boarded an MMDA truck and sped off.

As of press time, the victims have yet to identify the MMDA personnel involved. A complaint of physical injuries has been lodged.

Meanwhile, two MMDA enforcers have been directly charged with physical injuries at the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office for beating up a man in Cubao.

SPO1 Jose Diaz of CPD-Station 7 in Cubao said Darwin Ortigera, 26, and Roderick Santos, 21, have been accused of beating up Florencio Medum, 27, a store helper.

Diaz said the MMDA operatives were conducting a clearing operation 6 p.m. also last Tuesday at the corner of EDSA and Arayat street in Cubao when unidentified assailants threw bottles at the enforcers.

Medum was emerging from the Farmers overpass and was allegedly mistaken as the person who threw the bottles.

Ortigera and Santos approached Medum and allegedly beat him up using their truncheons.

Diaz said Ortigera and Santos were apprehended by police but were released after the MMDA posted bail for them.

MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando defended his enforcers yesterday.

"Binabaligtad nila ang kwento pagdating sa presinto," he said.

He admitted that while it is possible that some of his enforcers may be guilty of abuse at times, he stood his ground on keeping the sidewalks free of illegal vendors. – With Nikko Dizon