Eight members of the Badjao community were taken into police custody in Cebu City on Monday afternoon for allegedly violating the city's ordinance against begging. The apprehension occurred at the intersection of Cardinal Rosales Avenue and F. Cabahug Street in Barangay Mabolo.
Operation Follows Citizen Complaint
The joint operation was conducted by the Mabolo Police Station, the city's Anti-Mendicancy Office, and the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS). Police Lieutenant Colonel Jose Losbaños, information officer of the Cebu City Police Office, stated that the action was based on a written complaint received by the Anti-Mendicancy Office approximately two months prior.
The complaint from a concerned citizen detailed that the individuals were knocking on vehicles and even boarding public utility vehicles while carrying children, creating a dangerous situation. "It causes danger, and at the same time, it also causes traffic on our public roads," Losbaños explained, highlighting the dual issues of public safety and traffic disruption.
Details of the Apprehended Individuals
The operation, which began at around 1:15 PM on December 22, 2025, resulted in the rescue and custody of eight persons. All are residents of Sitio Nava, Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City, but are originally from Jolo, Sulu.
The individuals were identified with the following aliases and ages:
- Vanessa, 23 years old
- Shoraywa, 29
- Esmelinda, 34
- Salbeta, 30
- Nolayda, 42
- Jolina, 27
- Alma, 45
- Josaline, 52
They were brought to the Mabolo Police Station for processing. The case involves a violation of City Ordinance No. 163, the Anti-Mendicancy Ordinance of Cebu City.
City Government's Stance on Mendicancy
This enforcement action underscores the city government's ongoing efforts to address organized begging, which it views as a matter of public order and welfare. The collaboration between police, the Anti-Mendicancy Office, and DSWS points to a protocol that combines law enforcement with social service intervention.
The authorities have emphasized that the primary concerns are the safety of the individuals involved, especially children used in begging activities, and the smooth flow of traffic on major thoroughfares. The city government had previously been formally notified of the recurring issue, prompting the planned operation to address the specific complaint.
The incident highlights the continuing challenges faced by indigenous Badjao communities who migrate to urban centers like Cebu, often resorting to street begging for subsistence, which brings them into conflict with local laws designed to maintain public order.
