The family of a 63-year-old businesswoman who died after suffering from hypertension during a clearing operation in Dagupan City is calling for a thorough and impartial investigation, saying the operation caused her severe stress and that she was not given assistance immediately after collapsing.

The woman was identified as Teofila Caguioa.

According to her family, barangay officials visited her stall first on July 15, 2026 and ordered that she remove ornamental plants that had allegedly encroached into the road.

The next morning, barangay officials returned with members of the anti-littering team and POSO personnel. The family said authorities warned that the remaining plants would be loaded onto a truck if they were not removed.

The clearing operation followed a complaint filed through the 8888 Citizen's Complaint Center.

Opalyn Caguioa, the victim's daughter, said the presence of many personnel and a truck waiting outside their stall overwhelmed her elderly mother.

"Sana man lang inisip nila na senior na ang nanay ko. May truck na sa harap namin, marami sila, may nagvi-video pa. Na-stress ang nanay ko," she said.

The family also alleged that after Teofila collapsed, no one from the clearing team immediately helped bring her to the hospital.

Mark Ramirez, a gardener, said he was the one who first lifted the victim and asked others to help.

"Nakita na nila. Sabi pa sa akin, 'Yung matanda nakaihi na.' Nakita na nila pero hindi pa nila itinayo. Ako ang nagtayo. Sabi ko, 'Tulungan ninyo ako,' pero walang tumulong sa akin," he said.

The victim's daughter said her mother might have survived if she had been brought to the hospital immediately, noting that the medical facility was only a short distance from the stall.

"May nakakita sa inyo na natumba ang nanay ko, pero bakit wala man lang tumulong sa inyo? Ang dami ninyo doon. Kahit itayo lang, i-CPR o dalhin sa hospital, sana buhay pa ang nanay ko," she said.

Barangay Lucao officials denied the allegations, saying they arrived at the area peacefully and were initially speaking with another vendor nearby when the victim collapsed.

Barangay Secretary Calixto Garcia said they immediately assisted in bringing the victim to the hospital.

"Hindi totoo 'yun. Tinulungan namin sila. Kami ang nagtakbo sa ospital," Garcia said.

During a Facebook Live broadcast of her program Bantay Dagupan: Sumbungan ng Bayan on July 16, Dagupan City Mayor Belen Fernandez extended her condolences to the victim's family and said she had ordered those involved to explain their actions.

The mayor also directed the City Legal Office to investigate the incident and determine whether any violations were committed.

"Kinausap ko ang City Legal Office na kailangan, kung mayroong violation, dapat managot," she said.