Cebu City Vendor Injured in Altercation with Probe Team at Plaza Sugbo
A 27-year-old souvenir vendor in Cebu City was injured and bruised after an altercation with members of the Probe (Prevention Restoration Order Beautification and Enforcement) team at Plaza Sugbo on Monday, February 16, 2026, at around 2:00 PM. The incident has since gone viral on social media, sparking widespread discussion and concern.
Vendor's Account of the Incident
Recil Romano, the vendor involved, accused a Probe team member, identified by the alias Michael, of assaulting her and forcibly seizing her merchandise. According to Romano, approximately 30 Probe team members arrived at the location. She claimed that Michael ordered her to leave the area, but she requested to collect payment from her customers first. Instead, she was threatened with arrest.
"The customer hadn't paid yet, so I tried to retrieve my items, but he pulled them away," Romano recounted. She alleged that Michael struck her with a ring-adorned fist, resulting in her injuries. The confrontation left her visibly shaken and with physical wounds.
Probe Team's Response and Confiscation
Ronnie Maquiling, the head of Probe, provided a different perspective on the events. He stated that his team gave Romano five minutes to vacate the area, as vending was prohibited there. Maquiling denied that any punching occurred, asserting that the vendor became aggressive.
"When our operative attempted to confiscate the merchandise, Romano resisted and attacked our operative, which led to her getting injured... That's when she started acting wild," Maquiling explained. The Probe team confiscated Romano's goods, valued at over P5,000, and imposed a fine of P3,500 for their release from the Probe office.
Social Media Reaction and Broader Implications
The incident quickly gained traction on social media platforms, with many users expressing outrage and calling for accountability. Videos and posts detailing the altercation have circulated widely, highlighting tensions between enforcement agencies and local vendors in public spaces. This event raises questions about the methods used by Probe teams and the protection of small-scale entrepreneurs in Cebu City.
As investigations potentially unfold, the case underscores the need for clear guidelines and respectful interactions between authorities and citizens. The viral nature of the incident may prompt further scrutiny into Probe's operations and policies regarding vendor management in urban areas.
