PNP braces for 3-day transport strike; DOTr, LTO officials to take public commute

Police commanders were ordered on Tuesday, Sept. 17, to increase their visibility in areas where the three-day nationwide strike will be held as part of the security measures, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

- AARON RECUENCO and DEXTER BARRO II

Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said all police commanders were also instructed to regularly monitor the protest sites in order to protect jeepney drivers who would not join and to immediately respond in cases of any untoward incident.

“We fully respect the concerns being raised by our friends in the transport sector but we have to balance their right to air their grievances and the right of other drivers to earn money, as well as the right of the commuters not to be inconvenienced,” said Nartatez.

Transport group Pagka kaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston) is set to hold the strike on Sept. 18 while Manibela was planning to start early on Sept. 17 until Sept. 19.

Both transport groups are protesting the alleged massive corruption amid the ongoing investigation into the alleged anomalies in flood control projects.

They condemned the mismanagement and corruption involving taxpayers' money, including those from the transport sector that have been complaining about high taxes on fuel products.

Nartatez said the monitoring of the strike is aimed at ensuring that peace and order is observed, especially over past reports of harassment against drivers who would not join the transport strike.