Elderly fruit vendor’s cart forcibly taken by Caloocan authorities

The vendor can be heard repeatedly saying, “Aalis na lang po.” Despite his pleas, authorities persistently pulled away the fruit cart, destroying some of the items inside in the process.

The local authorities can be seen wearing shirts bearing the name “Joel Bacolod,” the punong barangay of Barangay 176-A in Bagong Silang, Caloocan City.

The reason for the intervention and the alleged harassment remains unclear.

“Kawawa si tatay na sapilitang nakikipaghatakan ng paninda niya. Imagine galing pa sa utang yung puhunan tapos huhulihin lang,” said Threads user @joshdqrz, who uploaded the video.

The vendor supposedly told the Threads user that his cart and produce were taken away by authorities. He only managed to make ₱200 in sales on the day of the incident.

The Threads user said Tatay JR, who also has a cleft palate, managed to return to the market the next day using a borrowed cart, but had to go further into debt to buy more produce to sell.

The Local Government Code of 1991, or Republic Act No. 7160, generally enables local authorities to regulate business operations and the use of public spaces, including through the issuance of business permits.

The lack of a permit may result in penalties or the closure of an establishment, depending on applicable local ordinances. While the law does not explicitly authorize the use of violence in enforcing local regulations, government officials and employees are expected to uphold peace and order while exercising their authority within reasonable bounds.