Iloilo Mayor Jose Espinosa III would like to have the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) investigate alleged extortion activity taking place at the Iloilo Terminal Market.

The mayor said he had been approached by local fish vendors claiming they were being charged a daily rate to occupy a table, be provided a canopy, and use electricity.

He also implicated two barangay officials whose respective jurisdictions are adjacent to the said market, Barangay Rizal Pala-Pala I Captain Alein Depatillo and Barangay Rizal Pala-Pala II Captain Noel Soliman.

The mayor said such activity, if validated, will not be tolerated.

Espinosa went on to characterize it as “raket” and said he will be speaking with the National Bureau of Investigation regional director on the matter.

If an investigation proves the allegation are true, he stated, “I want cases to be filed.”

The mayor also made mention of an illegal structure outside the Iloilo Terminal Market, noting, “Ang sa sulod wala benta kay ara na sila gabakal sa gwa (Inside, there are no vendors because they are all selling outside).”

After speaking with the illegal vendors, he learned there was a confrontation between them and the market-in-charge.

“Pati aton market-in-charge gina simu-simo nila (They even disregarded the market-in-charge),” Espinosa stated.

“Indi kamo pagtinonto sa akon kay paugatan ta kamo (They shouldn’t try to take advantage of me because they will face consequences),” the mayor warned. “Dira ko maopisina (I will set up an office there).”

Last May, the Iloilo City Public Safety Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) and Local Economic and Enterprise Office conducted clearing operations at the Iloilo Terminal Market.

PSTMO head Jeck Conlu explained, clearing operations are necessary in order for “customers and vendors [to] identify where are the loading, unloading, and parking areas; and entrance and exit points.”

He also noted, the agency will continue to monitor the situation following the operations to ensure sidewalks remain free of obstruction./WDJ