‘MEDIA TRAINED?’: Councilor alleges bolantero clash was instigated

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Iloilo City Councilor Rex Marcus Sarabia raised suspicions over the weekend that the April 10 clash between bolanteros and authorities along Fuentes Street may have been “instigated” or “manufactured,” noting that some vendor responses appeared unusually “media-prepared.”

In a Facebook comment, Sarabia said the incident did not occur during a sanctioned Market Day, which he said raises suspicion that the confrontation may have been deliberately provoked.

“What transpired was not during a sanctioned Market Day, which sparks suspicion that it was an instigated, manufactured scandal,” he said.

The incident involved bolanteros, personnel from the Local Economic Enterprise Office, the Anti-Squatting and Illegal Structure Unit, and members of the Philippine National Police. The city was enforcing regulations prohibiting vending within a 100-meter radius of public markets and clearing obstructed sidewalks.

Several vendors reported confiscation of goods during the operation, prompting criticism from some sectors that described the policy as anti-poor. Vendors insisted they were only trying to earn a living.

In the same comment, Sarabia said ambulant vendors are “not our responsibility,” although they are allowed to operate during designated Market Days.

“If they want to do business permanently, they must apply through legitimate means and be a tenant inside the market,” he said.

The councilor emphasized that the city government will not bend policies to accommodate the personal business concerns of bolanteros.

“If they want to do business during market days, they must factor in the costs as well,” he said, referring to transportation expenses incurred when vendors transfer between markets during scheduled Market Days.

In an interview with DYRI RMN Iloilo, Sarabia cited several factors that led him to suspect that some narratives from bolanteros may have been influenced or coordinated.

“The incident happened not during a sanctioned Market Day. You cannot blame me for having suspicion that maybe that was instigated because when the bolanteros answer, they seem prepared. If you think of it, the modus does not seem like it,” he said.

The scheduled Market Day of the Iloilo Terminal Market, also known as “Super,” runs from 6 p.m. Tuesday to 5 a.m. Wednesday.

Sarabia also noted that, based on media interviews, some complainants appeared to give responses that were “sharp” and unusually well-prepared.

“They seemed eloquent, clear, and sharp in answering questions, as if they were media-prepared,” he said.

Sarabia added that even professionals may struggle to respond clearly under pressure following such incidents.

“Even though I am a lawyer and you interview me, I would even get off or forget my script or lines,” he said.

The councilor said the city government had previously conducted consultations with bolanteros, during which livelihood concerns and Market Day policies were discussed and clarified.

He added that long-time vendors should already be familiar with the established Market Day system and its rules, questioning why some continue to express confusion over its implementation.

“It appears off that there are established policies and courses of conduct, and you choose to violate these established rules. That is one of the telling indications. I am not overspeculating. But these are the facts; it was not a Market Day,” he said.

Sarabia reiterated that Iloilo City’s public markets are not being managed in an anti-poor manner, stressing that the government is balancing public order with livelihood concerns.

“The city is not anti-poor. We are trying our best to balance the interests of the public. As much as possible, we will accommodate the bolanteros, although they are not formal vendors, but we will find ways,” he said.

He also expressed openness to improving the newly redeveloped market system, including proposals to allow vendors to sell after market hours, a practice previously observed before redevelopment.

“We will study it and solicit opinions. It is still a public market, it is for everyone,” he said.