80 barkers in Bacolod nabbed for road obstruction, extortion

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines - Eighty people, all serving as barkers for public utility jeepneys (PUJs) in the different parts of Bacolod City, were arrested and detained by operatives of the police's traffic management unit (TMU) Monday afternoon. At 10 p.m. the same day, the barkers were eventually released but were charged for violating City Ordinance (CO) 885 before the City Prosecutor's Office at the Hall of Justice Wednesday. Senior Inspector Levy Pangue, concurrent chief of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO)-TMU and Bacolod Traffic Authority (BTA), said: "We are just imposing a city ordinance that states any person or group of persons causing road obstruction or extorting money from public motorists shall be apprehended, fined and jailed." Pangue explained their Monday operation was meant to clear the city's streets and parking areas of barkers who, according to some PUJ drivers, are also extorting money from them. "We can't tolerate these barkers anymore. And we're thankful that we have this ordinance to legitimize our operations of apprehending them," stressed BCPO Director Ronilo Quebrar. Quebrar added: "We also want to clear up our streets from these barkers who, sometimes, become abusive." He hoped that after the recent arrest, no one would work as barker anymore. "We pity these people because I know some are also relying on their daily livings of being barkers, yet, I believe there are still other ways for them to look for other sources of income," asserted Quebrar. He also commended Pangue for a "job well done." Meanwhile, Pangue said "if the court would find merit on the case we filed against the apprehended barkers, they would have no choice but to pay P200 each as fines and will face court hearings." If proven guilty later, then they would be imprisoned to a maximum of six months, he added. - Sun.Star Bacolod