MMDA exec gets threat over clearing ops

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Task Force Special Operations commander Bong Nebrija has been receiving threats over the intensified clearing operations in Metro Manila.

A report by GMA News' Mark Salazar on Balitanghali on Thursday said Nebrija received a text threat on Wednesday reportedly coming from a local gambling lord in Manila.

The report said the information was verified through the Manila Police District.

It added that some security personnel will join MMDA's clearing operations especially in dangerous areas such as Tondo, Taft Avenue and Baclaran.

It was not the first time that Nebrija had received threats to his life.

Early last month, Nebrija started wearing bulletproof vest due to the piling of threats as he leads the clearing operations.

Meanwhile, the same Balitanghali report said that as illegal sidewalk vendors return to Baclaran to sell their goods, the MMDA Task Force Special Operations decided to strengthen their clearing operations and treat the confiscated items as "trash" and dispose them.

Salazar reported that MMDA authorities already conducted clearing operations along Taft Avenue in Baclaran on Wednesday, but the vendors returned in the area.

Nebrija previously ordered vendors to dismantle their stalls and remove their goods for 10 minutes or else the items will be confiscated.

The report said there were cases that the goods were returned to the vendors after being confiscated.

An elderly vendor talked to Nebrija to allow them to remove their products beyond 10 minutes, but Nebrija disagreed.

The policy of MMDA to throw the goods was only for "selected areas," including Baclaran. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News