On Friday, the Manila Police District (MPD) has denied on the reports about street dwellers who were allegedly stopping down vehicles along Taft Avenue and harassing motorists into giving them money.

Based on the report MPD spokesman Police Colonel Carlo Manuel on 24 oras, he said, “Ang ating kapulisan naman ay nag-ikot ngayon so wala po kaming naitatalang record sa lungsod ng Maynila tungkol sa sinasabi nilang iyan.”

Some street dwellers who are living on the center island of Lawton Street that was interviewed by GMA News also denied that they are harassing motorists to get money.

Former baker, Willie Clamor explained, “Kung mayroon huminto na tao naka-kotse (at) magbibigay, iyon lang po tinatanggap namin. Pero iyong haharangin namin (at) nanlilimos kami, hindi po,”

Another street dweller named Rolando Gahol admitted that they are having a hard time feeding themselves as they make what little rice they have and a few pieces of canned goods enough for them.

But he’s been advising his children against was resorting to begging for money on the streets.

Gahol admitted that it might not belong, but until he gets forced to ask for alms. Luzon continues to be under an enhanced community quarantine to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease in 2019 in the Philippines.

He said, “Masakit, hindi namin kaya. Kung hanggang doon talaga, aabot kami sa panlilimos. Gagawin namin makakain lang ang mga bata,”

The local city government has already stepped in to help Manila residents who are heavily affected by the quarantine. And that is by employing them as drivers of electric bicycles or e-bikes that ferry health workers and other frontliners and paid them a daily minimum wage of P530.

What can you say about this? Share your thoughts in the discussion box below.