After mayor orders crackdown 18 “coercive” vendorsfall

CEBU, Philippines — At least 18 street vendors believed to be part of an organized group were arrested on Saturday, May 30, after Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival ordered a police crackdown following numerous complaints from the public.

Archival personally confronted the Tagalog-speaking vendors who were allegedly coercing motorists into buying their goods along roads in Barangay Lahug last Saturday. Videos posted on the mayor’s social media page showed the local chief executive warning the vendors against engaging in such practices and urging them to leave the city.

The mayor directed Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) director Police Col. George V. Ylanan to act on the complaints, resulting in the arrest of 18 individuals along Gorordo Avenue near JY Square in Barangay Lahug.

“Verification is ongoing to establish the facts and identify the persons involved,” Archival said.

The vendors were brought to the CCPO headquarters for documentation before being turned over to barangay authorities, with stern warnings issued against intimidating or inconveniencing motorists.

The group was accused of swindling motorists by coercing them to buy their merchandise. They were allegedly selling detergent powder through coercive means.

According to complainants, the suspects would first invite motorists to avail themselves of free detergent powder. Once a person accepted the offer, the vendors would allegedly ask for an identification card supposedly for record purposes.

As soon as the victim complied, another member of the group would reportedly join the conversation and falsely claim to be a relative of the victim.

Without the victim realizing it, he or she would allegedly be pressured into purchasing more products through coercion.

The same group had also been the subject of complaints from residents in Lapu-Lapu City, prompting Congressman Junard Chan to warn them.

“Rent-tangay” scam

Meanwhile, Archival also raised alarm over the so-called “rent tangay” scam, wherein vehicles are rented without the intention of returning them and later sold using falsified documents.

He confirmed that such schemes have already reached Cebu and are affecting local businesses.

To counter the threat, Archival said he has coordinated with the Highway Patrol Group Region 7 and the CCPO to intensify monitoring and speed up the recovery of stolen vehicles.

The mayor urged operators to verify renter identities, install GPS trackers, and avoid releasing units with incomplete requirements.

“Report dayonangkahinahinalang transactions.Anginyongnegosyomao’ypanginabuhisainyongpamilya, ugimportantenasaatoangsyudad. Dilimo naginusaraani. Magtinabangay ta aronmaprotektahanangatongmga Cebuano entrepreneurs,” Archival said.

Archival also met with Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-7 chief Police Col. Arbel C. Mercullo and Ylanan to strengthen peace and order initiatives, emphasizing the need for coordination between government, police, and the private sector. — (FREEMAN)