Cebu mayor orders probe over vendor incident

Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival on Saturday called on the public to allow due process as the city investigates a recent incident involving ambulant vendors and city operatives.

The mayor emphasized that the city does not tolerate abuse or excessive force.

“All enforcement actions must be lawful, humane and respectful,” he said.

Archival added that a formal review has been ordered, with administrative proceedings set to start on the next working day to ensure a fair and impartial assessment.

He assured the public that accountability will be enforced where necessary, while asking for patience as due process runs its course.

The incident, which went viral online, occurred on 16 December 2025, when operatives from the Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification and Enforcement (PROBE) were seen forcibly apprehending a water vendor at Plaza Sugbo.

According to reports from PROBE and the police, the vendor had been warned multiple times prior to the operation but allegedly became confrontational during enforcement. Archival cited City Ordinance No. 2686, or the Anti-Road Obstruction Ordinance, as the basis for the operation.

Plaza Sugbo has been designated a priority enforcement area due to repeatedcomplaints from tourists, tour operators, and visitors to the City Hall complex. The vendor was restrained, taken to the police station, briefly detained, and ultimately requested that no charges be filed.

The mayor reiterated that the city is committed to lawful and respectful enforcement, balancing public order with fairness to those affected.