On
our way to the office this morning, Reyna and I saw many
kariton-drivers speeding along Padre Faura.  A few seconds after, we
saw that they were being chased by a raker (wrecker?)-truck. 

The
guys were able to run fast, but some were not as fast to get away from
those chasing them — particularly the women-kariton-drivers.

One
woman’s kariton even toppled over the canal, spilling her wares.  In
front of our building, one old woman was gasping for air when the
manghuhuli caught up with her.

Manghuhuli: Amin na yan. Sinabi nang bawal mag-tinda dun eh.

Woman (pleadingly and in a hopeless voice): Eh wala akong ibang hanapbuhay eh.

I
really broke down sa street.  I felt so helpless kasi I could not
assist the woman to hide or i-akyat man lang sa bangketa sana her
kariton so she could still run or something.  I was in uniform (damn,
they are now listing those not in office uniform sa main entrance to
file admin cases for violators), siempre obvious na magiging
obstruction to execution of public duties naman ako of a co-government
worker.

Yes, bawal magtinda sa bangketa; and yes, obstruction to
public sidewalks/streets/roads sila.  Pero, to see that old woman’s
struggle and hear her anguish, just a foot away from me, nakakayanig
talaga ng kalooban.

That episode will forever hound me.  Nakakaiyak to just even recall it now.

And so, what do I do with this nakakabagabag na experience?  What do we do to those like the old woman this morning…?