Manila: The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday ensured commuter safety and mobility during the two-day nationwide transport strike. "We have deployed our personnel nationwide with a heavy focus on Metro Manila," PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement. "Our mobility assets are also on standby in case there is a need to offer free rides to stranded commuters," he added. The free rides aim to ease travel for commuters reliant on public transport.
According to Philippines News Agency, a coalition of transport groups, urban poor organizations, and progressive groups launched the two-day strike on Thursday to protest rising fuel prices. Nartatez ordered personnel to be deployed at key transport hubs and strike hotspots, with mandatory body-worn cameras to ensure transparency. "My instruction to our personnel is to continue exercising maximum tolerance," he said.
Meanwhile, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) spokesperson Hazel Asilo said police are monitoring 13 rally sites with an estimated 140 participants. "Wala naman tayong reported na untoward incidents. So far, peaceful naman yung kanilang ginaganap na mga rallies (We do not have any reported untoward incidents. So far, the rallies being mounted have been peaceful)," she said in an interview.
The NCRPO deployed over 8,900 police officers and 190 vehicles for strike security in Metro Manila. It also deployed 151 vehicles to provide free rides to affected commuters and 45 more for security operations.
