The Team Malayang Quezon City condemned on Monday, Nov. 8, the response of the city mayor on the alleged abuse committed by Task Force Disiplina (TFD) members during a road-clearing operation last week.
The group was referring to the arrest of three ambulant vendors who were seen in a video being dragged by TFD members into their service vehicle in Novaliches on Friday morning.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said on the same day that the incident would be thoroughly investigated and the task force members would be punished if found guilty.
In a statement, Team Malayang QC said the TFD had shown abuse of authority numerous times but were repeatedly overlooked by Belmonte.
"Hindi na dapat umabot sa ganitong karahasan kung noon pa man ay inaksyonan na ni Mayor Belmonte ang ganitong klaseng gawain ng kanyang mga tautauhan (This violence should not have happened if only Mayor Belmonte already responded to this kind of work by her men)," the group said.
They added that the citizens should see a quick and effective action from the mayor on this kind of incident, especially at this time of COVID-19 pandemic.