The Cebu City government has opened an investigation into allegations its personnel hurt a senior citizen who was arrested for allegedly violating the city’s Anti-Mendicancy Ordinance.
The senior citizen, Ireneo Vidal, 68, has accused members of the Anti-Mendicancy Office of hurting him when he was picked up from the street downtown.
On May 13, 2026, Councilor Jun Alcover visited Vidal at the detention facility of the Carbon Police Station.
Vidal stood by the statement he issued earlier and told Alcover he was not begging for money from pedestrians when the the Anti-Mendicancy Office personnel found him and arrested him.
He said he was just playing his harmonica in the hope passersby would spare a coin or two he could use to buy food for his grandchild.
The complaint against Vidal for violating the city’s Anti-Mendicancy Ordinance has been filed before the prosecutor’s office.
Alcover said he will bail Vidal out.
Alcover said the City Council’s Committee on Senior Citizens will investigate the incident and will file charges against those who hurt the old man.
Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival has also ordered an investigation into the allegations.
