Vendors warned against kotong cops

MANILA, Philippines - A Manila police official said yesterday he will not hesitate to arrest and charge any policeman caught mulcting vendors following reports that the vendors were promised unrestricted operation in exchange for a fee.

The illegal and unregulated vending in Divisoria has caused huge traffic jams in Manila this Christmas season to the inconvenience of motorists and pedestrians.

The situation has brought a big headache to authorities as police has to deal with clearing operations of illegal vendors every hour of the day aside from their normal duties of going after criminals.

Meisic police station chief Superintendent Nelson Yabut, who shares the jurisdiction of the Divisoria area with Moriones police station chief Superintendent Rogelio Rosales, said he got information from the vendors themselves that they shell out P10 each to policemen who promised them that they are secured in their vending areas.

There are almost a thousand vendors in Divisoria being patronized by shoppers due to bargain prices. However, in a mad scramble for buyers, these vendors defy the local government’s rule on proper vending and even occupy the middle of the streets.

“These unscrupulous policemen take advantage of gullible vendors to extract money with a promise they will not be driven out of their vending areas. So the vendors defy the rules,” Yabut said.

Vendors provided Yabut with the names of policemen who regularly collect from vendors. However, Yabut temporarily withheld the identities of the policemen who are now under surveillance.

“They are the reason why our drive against vendors in Divisoria fails. The vendors are defiant claiming they are giving protection money to police and should not be driven away,” he said.

The vendors also named “Annie Taba,” “Boy Bakla” and a certain “Rosie” who brags of her reporter-husband, who act as their middlemen in dealing with the mulcting policemen.