MANILA, Philippines – An old bread vendor whose motorcycle was impounded by cops because he didn’t have a driver’s license found help from netizens after his sad plight went viral.
Last September 18, 48-year-old Tatay Ruel Leong from Bacong, Negros Oriental, woke up early to sell bread from his motorcycle. His wife had just recently given birth to their baby and he knew he had to earn money for his family.
But while selling bread in Sibulan, two towns away from his hometown, he was apprehended by Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) for not having a license, among other violations.
Though he explained that he couldn’t really afford to get a license because he only earns very little per day, the HPG was also just doing its job in apprehending those who violate the law. And while Tatay Ruel needs the motorcycle to sell his bread, they also had to impound it because he didn’t have a driver’s license.
Tatay Ruel admitted that he knows he needs a license to drive a motorcycle, but this is his only means of earning a living and he can’t afford the hefty fees in getting one. He now has the added problem of where he could find money to pay the fines.
Moreover, he only had Php200 in sales that morning – and his bread would go to waste now that he doesn’t have a motorcycle to use in selling the items. Taking pity on this hardworking dad, local news station DYWC RMN DGTE based in Dumaguete shared his story on their Facebook page. It was announced that the cops brought him to Sibulan PNP station where netizens could buy his bread.
Learning about Tatay Ruel’s dilemma, several netizens immediately went to the police station to help him out by buying his bread. It didn’t take a couple of hours for his bread to be sold out.
But aside from getting help in selling the bread, Tatay Ruel received more help from netizens. Some minutes after the post went viral, netizen Jhae Calma offered financial assistance from a riders’ charity group in Mindanao.
“I am Jhae of Charity Riders for one Mindanao, it came to my attention when my wife tagged me about this tatay who crossed my timeline early today, may I ask where I can reach this tatay and what police station or HPG station so we can talk to the chief of HPG so we can pay the penalties and help tatay register his motorcycle and help him back on the road for his daily living,” Calma commented on the page.
Not only will the riders pay for his fines, they will also sure he won’t get caught again by also getting him a license and register his motorcycle, if needed.
More help also poured in as netizens brought food for Tatay Ruel and his family.
While many netizens pointed out that the cops were only doing their job in apprehending those who violate the law, it is wonderful that the community came together for this poor vendor.
—Joy Adalia, The Summit Express
Last September 18, 48-year-old Tatay Ruel Leong from Bacong, Negros Oriental, woke up early to sell bread from his motorcycle. His wife had just recently given birth to their baby and he knew he had to earn money for his family.
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| Photo credit: DYWC RMN DGTE / Facebook |
But while selling bread in Sibulan, two towns away from his hometown, he was apprehended by Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) for not having a license, among other violations.
Though he explained that he couldn’t really afford to get a license because he only earns very little per day, the HPG was also just doing its job in apprehending those who violate the law. And while Tatay Ruel needs the motorcycle to sell his bread, they also had to impound it because he didn’t have a driver’s license.
 |
| Photo credit: DYWC RMN DGTE / Facebook |
Tatay Ruel admitted that he knows he needs a license to drive a motorcycle, but this is his only means of earning a living and he can’t afford the hefty fees in getting one. He now has the added problem of where he could find money to pay the fines.
Moreover, he only had Php200 in sales that morning – and his bread would go to waste now that he doesn’t have a motorcycle to use in selling the items. Taking pity on this hardworking dad, local news station DYWC RMN DGTE based in Dumaguete shared his story on their Facebook page. It was announced that the cops brought him to Sibulan PNP station where netizens could buy his bread.
Learning about Tatay Ruel’s dilemma, several netizens immediately went to the police station to help him out by buying his bread. It didn’t take a couple of hours for his bread to be sold out.
 |
| Photo credit: DYWC RMN DGTE / Facebook |
But aside from getting help in selling the bread, Tatay Ruel received more help from netizens. Some minutes after the post went viral, netizen Jhae Calma offered financial assistance from a riders’ charity group in Mindanao.
“I am Jhae of Charity Riders for one Mindanao, it came to my attention when my wife tagged me about this tatay who crossed my timeline early today, may I ask where I can reach this tatay and what police station or HPG station so we can talk to the chief of HPG so we can pay the penalties and help tatay register his motorcycle and help him back on the road for his daily living,” Calma commented on the page.
Not only will the riders pay for his fines, they will also sure he won’t get caught again by also getting him a license and register his motorcycle, if needed.
More help also poured in as netizens brought food for Tatay Ruel and his family.
While many netizens pointed out that the cops were only doing their job in apprehending those who violate the law, it is wonderful that the community came together for this poor vendor.
—Joy Adalia, The Summit Express
