Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival has directed a comprehensive review of enforcement actions at Plaza Sugbo, following public controversy over the arrest of a mineral water vendor. The mayor clarified that city personnel were merely implementing existing ordinances but warned that abusive enforcers would be removed if proven guilty.
Maximum Tolerance Policy and Plaza Sugbo Exception
The operation was based on City Ordinance No. 2686, which prohibits vending in public plazas, including the area around Cebu City Hall. However, Mayor Archival emphasized that his standing order to street-cleaning and enforcement teams, including the Prevention Restoration Order Beautification Enhancement (Probe) unit, is "maximum tolerance" in areas where vendors do not cause disturbances, maintain cleanliness, and where no complaints are filed.
Archival explained that Plaza Sugbo is treated differently because the city has received numerous complaints, including from tourists, about disorder in the area. These reports involve beggars and children allegedly aggressively asking for money and becoming angry when refused. At least 16 beggars have already been arrested in previous operations.
The Incident That Sparked the Controversy
The mayor discussed complaints about some vendors and individuals roaming the plaza with bottled water, selling to tourists and locals, and then carelessly discarding trash or bottles. These concerns prompted Probe and the Tourist Police to conduct an inspection, where those involved were reportedly given warnings.
According to Archival, the city began a deeper investigation on December 16, 2025, to identify any activities in the plaza that needed to be stopped or corrected. He recounted that on that day, a mineral water vendor, who was allegedly warned repeatedly before, resisted when enforcers attempted to bring him to the police station. Reports indicated the vendor resisted and even attempted to punch the officials.
The vendor was taken to the police station and detained for a few hours but was later released after he pleaded not to be charged. The mayor clarified that the video which circulated online showing the confiscation of bottled water was taken by operatives and later leaked to the public. He stated he was unaware how the footage reached Cebu City Councilor Pastor "Jun" Alcover.
Response and Prioritizing Sinulog Preparations
In response to the incident, the mayor said he would meet with Probe officials and warned that individual cases of mistaken arrests would be reviewed, and errant personnel could be removed from their posts. The city's priority, especially with Sinulog approaching, is to maintain order in Plaza Sugbo, which he described as a sacred place linked to Cebu's Christian heritage.
He added that the issue had been resolved since December 16. The mayor also responded to Councilor Alcover's Facebook post criticizing the city administration for an alleged lack of mercy towards the poor while neglecting flood problems in upscale areas like Monterrazas. Archival stated that Alcover needed to clarify his motive, suggesting the councilor was making himself a "hero" by publicizing the incident.
Nevertheless, Archival reminded Probe personnel that if there is sufficient basis to file charges in future incidents, they must do so properly. The controversy grew after Alcover shared the video of the bottled water confiscation, which drew negative reactions online.
