Sacked for cursing

Checkpoint chief accused of scolding vendors

THE Task Force Davao (TFD) on Tuesday replaced the detachment commander in Barangay Binugao in Toril, Davao City after he allegedly berated and threatened three vendors in his area of responsibility.

Lt. Colonel Nestor Mondia, commander of TFD’s Security Company that conducts checkpoints in Binugao, was replaced by Captain Richard Duculan, following the complaints filed by the three vendors before the Toril Police Station.

The vendors were identified as Grace Tapat, Junalyn Dalian and Rolly Di- ego, all residents of Davao City.

According to the three vendors, the officer informed all vendors in Binugao on their last day of selling goods and beverages to motorists and the passengers. The vendors, however, appealed to Mondia to consider their livelihood, but the officer allegedly got irked and berated them, using cusswords.

TFD commander Colonel Macairog Alberto, in a phone interview, said he already talked to the officer on the matter. He added that Mondia was replaced and assigned temporarily at their headquarters pending investigation.

“We will talk with the vendors to explain to them kung ano yung tamang procedure sa checkpoint. Hindi lang kasi talaga sila

nagkaintindihan. In fact, three times na silang kinausap, siguro umabot lang sa ganun kasi walang nangyari dun sa pakiusap ng task force,” Alberto said.

During the conduct of checkpoint, Alberto said the vendors are only allowed to sell their goods after the task force checked the vehicles. He added that their personnel are doing their job to ensure the security of the public, including the vendors.

“Ang nangyayari kasi, nauuna lagi itong mga vendors. They are not allowed to get closer to the vehicles kung hindi pa tapos ang inspection, paano kung biglang may sumabog, eh di yari din sila. We really need to strengthen our security,” Alberto said.

Alberto earlier appealed to Dabawenyos to abide with the security measures being enforced by the unit, adding that they have taken extra efforts to tighten security in Davao City. ICT