Bacolod legal office denies vendor assault allegations

BACOLOD CITY — The Bacolod City Legal Office has denied allegations that members of its Enforcement Team assaulted a 63-year-old sidewalk vendor during a routine inspection and clearing operation near Libertad Public Market.

City Legal Officer Karol Joseph Chiu, in a statement released Wednesday, Jan. 21, said enforcement personnel acted with restraint while performing their duties.

“The enforcement team acted with caution and exercised maximum tolerance during the operation,” Chiu said.

The incident occurred at around 6:52 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, when enforcement personnel approached the vendor for refusing to remove her camote products that were obstructing the sidewalk at the corner of Lizares Street and Amelia Avenue, fronting the University of Negros Occidental – Recoletos (UNO-R).

The City Legal Office said the confrontation led to the confiscation of the vendor’s sack of camote products.

According to the City Legal Office, tensions escalated when the vendor allegedly attacked three members of the enforcement team.

The office said closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage showed the complainant repeatedly striking a male team member, who was seen deflecting the blows.

The City Legal Office said the CCTV footage contradicted claims that the vendor was assaulted by enforcement personnel.

The office added that other vendors intervened to restrain the complainant and prevent further physical altercation.

Chiu said the enforcement team had issued repeated warnings to vendors occupying and obstructing the street starting around 6 a.m. that day, which the release also described as beginning at around 6:00 a.m.

“We respect and recognize our sidewalk vendors, but their actions must adhere to established guidelines to maintain order in public spaces, especially in market areas,” Chiu added.

“We respect and recognize the livelihood of our sidewalk vendors, but their activities must comply with established guidelines to ensure order and safety in public spaces, particularly in busy market areas,” he said.

The City Legal Office said city regulations govern such operations, citing Ordinance No. 1009 (Series of 2022), which sets rules for ambulant vendors and designates vending zones aimed at maintaining cleanliness and removing unauthorized structures on city streets.

The office also cited Ordinance No. 810 (Series of 2017), which tasks the City Legal Office Enforcement Team to clear roads of illegal structures deemed nuisances and potential hazards to pedestrians, motorists and vendors.

Clearing operations in Bacolod have been periodically emphasized by city authorities as part of broader efforts to address road obstructions, including vending encroachments and other public space violations.

The City Legal Office reiterated its commitment to fair enforcement of city laws while ensuring the safety and dignity of all parties involved. (BCCO)