PNCC enforcer shoots vendor in clearing drive

An officer of the Philippine National Construction Corp. (PNCC) shot and wounded a female vendor during clearing operations at the Philippine National Railway site in Bicutan, Parañaque City yesterday.

Cecille Adaya, 31, of Sitio de Asis in Bicutan, was rushed to the South Superhighway Medical Center after being hit in the left leg by a bullet allegedly fired from the gun of PNCC team leader Ronillo Piong.

Piong claimed he fired warning shots from his 9mm pistol to control some 20 angry vendors at around 6:30 a.m.

Witnesses claimed the PNCC enforcer also poked his gun at Adaya’s companions.

The wounded vendor said she would be filing serious physical injury charges against Piong and his men.

Parañaque police investigators said Piong has long been at odds with vendors in the area.

Billy Juerra, PNCC radio operator, said the anti-vendor operations at the PNR site was a regular activity conducted by the PNCC.

"PNCC personnel deployed in the area are authorized to carry guns. The vendors have been contributing largely to the horrendous traffic there," Juerra said.

He added that the vendors even destroyed two vehicles of the PNCC team.

Juerra initially expressed doubt on reports that one of the vendors was hurt in the clearing drive yesterday.

However, SSMC staff confirmed a certain Cecille Adaya was admitted to the emergency section and treated for a wound in her left leg.