By MERLINDA A. PEDROSA

The Bacolod City government is set to remove shanties at the public plaza today.

City Administrator Mark Steven Mayo said they will clear the plaza from obstructions following the alleged holdup incident on Sunday, June 14.

Authorities observed that some individuals are now living within the plaza.

“It is a public place, but we will not allow anyone to build shanties inside the plaza,” Mayo said.

Police Station 1 commander, Major Rondyl Tapang, said they will assist the City Legal Office in removing the structures within the site.

Several security guards and personnel from the Public Order and Safety Office have been deployed to the public plaza to help maintain peace and order in the area.

Tapang said police officers are conducting roving patrols.

Meanwhile, Mayo said they have already determined the residence of the woman in the alleged holdup incident.

The city government is willing to assist if the victim’s claims are proven to be true.

“She has been sharing that the alleged incident has affected her mental health. We offered assistance, including therapy, to help with her recovery,” Mayo said.

He added that the alleged victim was walking through a blind spot area of the public plaza when the incident allegedly happened./MAP, WDJ