Photo of enforcer selling 'kakanin' goes viral

MANILA, Philippines — A traffic enforcer selling rice cake or kakanin seen in a viral Facebook post inspired much praise and some criticisms on social media over the weekend.

User Rose Anne Olarte Mellizo said in a photo post on November 4 that the unnamed officer offered them snacks made by his wife, earnings from which he said would go to tuition fees of their children.

The photos, taken in Bagong Barrio, Caloocan, earned 10,000 likes on the original post and almost 200,000 likes on reposts. The man bares the surname "Gonzales" on his jacket.

"It's good to think that there are still people who would resort to honest trade instead of extorting money [from motorists]," Mellizo said.

Mellizo said that the traffic enforcer was "respectful" and did not force motorists to buy. She added that the traffic enforcer also did not get in the way of traffic flow and only approached only parked vehicles.

"Akala namin huhulihin yung driver namin, 'yun pala mag-aalok ng paninda n'ya," she said.

Mellizo also begged netizens not to adjudge Gonzales of having ill intentions.

"He just amazed me [by] his kindness. Hanga ako sa mga ganitong taty na tinataguyod ang mga anak n'ya sa mabuting paraan. Pinost ko itong picture na ito for us to be inspired and to do good, 'wag naman ho tayo laging mag-isip agad ng masama," she said.

Other users said, however, that Gonzales should not be selling goods while on duty and wearing his uniform as traffic enforcer. - Camille Diola

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