Three individuals were arrested for allegedly involved in illegal collection of lease and extortion from stall owners and vendors of the Balintawak Cloverleaf Market in Quezon City on Wednesday, April 23.
The incident happened following a tense takeover at the Balintawak Cloverleaf Market, after the rightful ownership was reasserted by Balintawak Cloverleaf Market Corporation (BCMC).
According to legal counsel of BCMC, Atty. Jyro Go, the corporation, took action to regain control of the market’s operations after receiving numerous complaints from stall vendors.
Vendors had reported confusion and distress caused by two separate groups allegedly collecting rental fees, leading to uncertainty over which group had legitimate authority.
“They really tried to take advantage in this confusion na nangyayari sa Balintawak Market. Ang nangyayari magbabayad ka sa person A tapos si person B sisingilin ka pa, which is very unfair for our vendors,” he said.
Atty. Go stated they will file multiple charges against the three arrested, including one who identified himself as a member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Moreover, Go affirmed charges of trespassing and unjust vexation will be filed by the corporation, while the vendors' association is preparing to file complaints of grave coercion and estafa by means of false pretenses or extortion.
“Ngayon ang pinaglalaban po natin dito, hindi lang po ang karapatan ng management but also yung mga karapatan ng mga vendors,” Go stressed.
Based on the gathered data by DZRH News, the tensions reportedly began after the death of Atty. Rodolfo de Guzman Jr., the market’s previous owner, which triggered an internal family dispute over market ownership and management.
Meanwhile, 40 security personnel have been deployed to maintain order in the market premises.
