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[av_heading heading=’Who’s behind proliferation of Badjao beggars? 30 rounded up in Day 2 of ‘Oplan Sapupo’ ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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ILOILO City – Are there groups or individuals behind the proliferation of Badjao mendicants in this city?
The chief of Mandurriao district’s police station does not discount such possibility.
“These Badjaos do not know how to read and write yet they have solicitation letters. Only the literate can think of this mendicancy scheme,” said Chief Inspector Juvy Navales.
Under City Regulation Ordinance 2002-400 that prohibits mendicancy, any person, syndicate or group who utilize and exploit minors, disabled and infirm persons in the mendicancy trade shall suffer a penalty of P2,000 in fine and imprisonment of not less than two months.
Yesterday, the second day of Oplan Sapupo – the city government’s campaign to round up the Badjaos – the Mandurriao police station helped the Public Safety and Transportation and Management Office (PSTMO) catch a total of 30 mendicants.
“Mandurriao’s district fiesta is fast approaching. There are so many things to see at the public plaza and there are many people. The Badjaos see them as prospective donors,” Navales told Panay News.
The Badjaos – young boys and girls, teenagers, mothers and fathers – were taken to the Mandurriao police station.
In kicking off Oplan Sapupo, Mayor Jose Espinosa recalled that in previous years mendicant Badjaos had “sponsors” or people backing them up and to whom they shared a portion of the alms they collected.
“I don’t know if they still practice this scheme,” said the mayor.
According to PSTMO head Jeck Conlu, the Badjaos they rounded up would be shipped back to Mindanao with the help of the Philippine Coast Guard.
Begging and giving alms to beggars are punishable under City Regulation Ordinance 2002-400. Mendicants are liable to fines of P500, imprisonment of not more than a year, or both fine and imprisonment. On the other hand, giving to beggars is punishable by a fine of P500 or community service.
Monday’s start of Oplan Sapupo was a dud. The Badjaos fled as if they have been forewarned of PSTMO’s operation.
Conlu observed that these supposedly poor Badjaos have cell phones.
“Kun mangayo-ngayo sila nagapamilit pa kag nagapamutong, so kalaw-ay gid (They force people to give them alms, it’s so disgusting),” said Espinosa.
Conflict in Mindanao between Muslim separatists and government troops have forced many of the Badjaos to seek refuge elsewhere.
“They defecate anywhere. Public health and sanitation are being compromised,” said Espinosa./PN
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