MMDA operatives arrested

Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. ordered yesterday the filing of criminal charges against operatives of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), who were arrested after raiding a legitimate vending site along Visayas Avenue in Barangay Vasra.

"The MMDA has no business arresting legitimate vendors," Belmonte told Central Police District (CPD) director Chief Superintendent Napoleon Castro.

The MMDA sidewalk clearing operatives rounded up vendors selling their wares at the corner of Visayas and Central Avenues, which is one of the 148 vending sites alloted by the city government to residents who want to earn extra income for their families.

"We are giving livelihood assistance to poor residents and here comes the MMDA arresting them. We cannot allow that," Belmonte said.

The MMDA personnel also allegedly beat the vendors in Barangay Vasra.

Niel Lina, chief of the city market administration department, confirmed that the city government has given permits to some 3,200 vendors to sell their goods in 148 vending sites in the city.

"We have been telling them (MMDA) to coordinate with us but they ignored us," Lina said.

He said the city government will pursue the filing of criminal charges against the MMDA personnels.