Vendors & Clearing Team Clashed During Clearing Operation in Davao City
A heated clash between street vendors and members of the clearing team broke out in Davao City during a clearing operation.
Earlier this week, the street vendors and members of the City Ancillary Services (CAS) clearing team clashed at the fruit section of Bankerohan Public Market. The incident was caught on camera and garnered various reactions from the online community.
The confrontation started during a road clearing operation conducted by the CAS team. Authorities were reportedly removing fruits and other goods that were being displayed outside the designated vending area.
However, several vendors refused to surrender their products, which led to a tense argument that later turned physical.
In the video, members of the clearing team and vendors were seen throwing punches at each other. As the situation became more chaotic, other individuals joined the fight, including some carrying sticks.
A child was also seen caught in the middle of the commotion, which alarmed many viewers online. The fight eventually stopped, but several people were hurt during the incident.
One member of the clearing team suffered a head injury, while a female vendor collapsed on the road during the chaos.
Police officers later brought both the vendors and the clearing personnel to the San Pedro Police Station for investigation. Authorities are still waiting to see if either side will file formal complaints.
The incident earns criticism from labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno Southern Mindanao. The group strongly condemned the violence and expressed concern over the treatment of vendors, saying many of them are only trying to earn a living for their families.
Meanwhile, the Davao City Government defended the road clearing operation and explained that existing rules must still be enforced to maintain order and fairness. The local government also stressed that vendors who follow the regulations deserve protection as well.
Authorities are continuing their investigation while road clearing operations in the city are expected to continue.
The social media users expressed their reactions to the incident:
