By Glenda SOLOGASTOA
SAN ENRIQUE, Iloilo – The Alyansa Ng Industriya ng Bigas (ANIB)-Iloilo condemned alleged acts of harassment directed against their members / rice retailers in this town.
ANIB named Vice Mayor Rolando Cordero and his son, Sangguniang Bayan (SB) member Rhaylan Cordero, as the culprits.
ANIB president Julia Maravilla said that SB Cordero’s insinuation that the rice retailers had committed anomaly by diverting NFA rice is sweeping and baseless; and had that put the retailers in a bad light.
The condemnation letter was sent to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Iloilo, Office of the Sangguniang Bayan of San Enrique, National Food Authority (NFA) provincial manager Mariano Bejemino, and Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr.
ANIB implored the SP to take necessary steps to protect the interest and livelihood of the rice retailers of San Enrique from “unjust and malicious acts.”
“Cordero has been continuously harassing the rice retailers of San Enrique by verbally harassing them and incessantly monitoring the stalls of the retailers personally or through his personnel to the point that retailers already feel violated and fear for their safety,” complained ANIB.
Because of the said “harassment,” some of the retailers – Heda P. Abelancio, Reynold Padernal, Cherie Navarro and Ernie Caballero – closed their stores, the group reported.
They had it also blottered at the San Enrique police station.
For the ANIB, the above-mentioned retailers are victims of persecution that had jeopardized their livelihood.
Maravilla said they wanted the said retailers back in business so that the poor people of their town could buy affordable NFA rice./PN
