Silang market suspends vendor, fish cleaner over alleged short-weighing scheme

SILANG, Cavite — The Silang Public Market Administration, led by Market Administrator Manolito “Lito” Eusebio, took swift action following a complaint of alleged short-weighing of tilapia inside the town’s public market.

According to the complaint, a customer bought about 60 kilograms of tilapia from a supplier and had the fish cleaned. When the fish were returned, the customer noticed a significant portion of the weight was missing.

An investigation conducted with help from the Silang Philippine National Police found that the fish cleaner admitted to taking a portion of the fish and placing them in a vendor’s basin to be resold.

The market administration immediately imposed administrative sanctions, suspending both the vendor and the fish cleaner involved as punishment and as a stern warning against any form of fraud within the market.

The parties eventually reached a settlement, with the vendor and the fish cleaner agreeing to pay for the value of the fish they allegedly took.

The Silang Public Market Administration said it will continue to strengthen enforcement of order, honesty and fair trade to protect the welfare of consumers and legitimate vendors in the public market.

Officials stressed that there is no room for any form of fraud in the market and called on everyone to help safeguard the trust and integrity of the Silang Public Market.