A 68-year-old man who was arrested for allegedly violating Cebu City’s Mendicancy Ordinance has been released and reunited with his family.
Ireneo Vidal was freed on Thursday, May 14, after spending days in detention following his arrest by the Cebu City Anti-Mendicancy Office.
Among those who helped secure Vidal’s release was Cebu City Councilor Pastor Jun Alcover Jr., chairman of the Committee on Senior Citizens.
Photos shared by Alcover showed the elderly man emotionally reuniting with his family, including embracing his grandchild after his release.
Vidal also received assistance from Brigada News FM Cebu and its listeners.
The case gained public attention after Brigada interviewed Vidal at the Carbon Police Station, where he explained that he was arrested on May 7 for allegedly violating the city’s anti-mendicancy ordinance.
However, Vidal denied that he was begging for money. He said he was only playing music in public and voluntarily accepted whatever people chose to give him without forcing anyone.
His explanation quickly spread online and drew sympathy from many netizens, with several expressing concern over the arrest of a senior citizen.
The incident also triggered discussions online regarding the implementation of anti-mendicancy policies and the treatment of elderly individuals in public spaces.
Authorities have yet to issue additional statements regarding the matter following Vidal’s release.
