Fish Vendor Pours Bleach on Her Own Fish After Being Confiscated by Authorities
A fish vendor at Basista Public Market in Pangasinan poured bleach and detergent powder over her own fish after the items were confiscated by authorities.
In a viral post, the vendor was seen putting bleach and detergent on the confiscated fish, explaining that she wanted to make sure the products could no longer be sold or used.
According to the vendor, they tried to ask authorities if they could simply pay a penalty and take their goods back. However, she said they were told that the confiscated fish would instead be left to spoil.
The vendor said the fish represented a large part of their small business investment. She explained that they were only trying to earn an honest living and recover financially after dealing with the effects of recent disasters.
She also admitted that they had previously been warned about selling in the area. However, she said small vendors had been repeatedly affected by the enforcement, raising concerns about how rules were being applied while the public market was undergoing renovations.
The issue also drew comments from former Basista councilor Edgardo Boy Tagum, who said he did not know the complete story behind the incident and was not taking sides.
Tagum acknowledged the rules against selling fish outside the public market, noting that these regulations also protect vendors who pay for their spaces and follow market requirements. At the same time, he appealed for consideration toward small vendors who have invested their money and effort into their products.
He suggested that authorities could consider a clearer and more humane process when enforcing market rules. It could include proper warnings, fair penalties, and an opportunity for vendors to explain their situation.
The social media users expressed their reactions to the post:
