It has come to our attention that the Quezon City Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS) conducted road clearing operations in Pook Dagohoy, Pook Palaris, Area 1, and Area 2, Diliman yesterday (April 23, 2024), and apparently destroyed and confiscated the property of vendors while undertaking this task.

Based on our initial investigation, this was done upon the request of University of the Philippines Diliman Vice Chancellor Roehl Jamon, who coursed the appeal through the Barangay UP Campus’ Punong Barangay, Kapitan Lawrence V. Mappala.

While this clearing operation was consistent with recent directives of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), there is clearly a need to remind those who implemented it that their job demands the highest levels of empathy, compassion, and respect for human rights. Full coordination should likewise be done with all the stakeholders, supported by clear and timely lines of communication.

Sadly, this was far from the case in today’s operation. On behalf of the entire city government, therefore, I would like to extend my sincerest apologies to all those who were aggravated by the poor handling of our DPOS enforcers.

Please rest assured that we have already started drafting a framework for future operations of this nature, based on the principles of transparency, consultation, participation, the minimization of harm, and optimal outcomes for all concerned parties. Once this is finalized, we shall ensure that all our departments and agencies comply with its implementing rules and regulations.

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