PNP to give free rides amid transport strike until December 31
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) announced on Monday that it will continue providing free rides for commuters affected by the nationwide transport strike until the end of this year.
PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said they will also continue deploying mobility assets in areas of convergence, such as transportation hubs and places of worship, to prevent the proliferation of street crimes during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
“Tuloy tuloy po ang pag de-deploy natin ng assets dahil nabanggit nga po na magtuloy tuloy po itong kanilang protest action hanggang sa katapusan ng taon na to so kasabay na dyan yung maximum deployment para sa ating holiday seasons and of course dyan sa nagpapatuloy na rally ng ating mga tsuper,” Fajardo said in a press briefing.
(We are continuously deploying our assets due to the ongoing protest action. The deployment will carry on until the end of this year, along with the maximum deployment for the holidays launched by our drivers.)
The PNP official reported that no untoward incidents related to the strike were recorded so far, as she likewise deemed the previous and ongoing strikes “generally peaceful.”
She added that about seven areas within the National Capital Region with 385 protesters are under surveillance to ensure public safety.
Article continues after this advertisementEarlier, Fajardo reported that more than 18,000 personnel were deployed nationwide for the first strike, which was held from December 14 to 15.
Article continues after this advertisementThe second strike, which Manibela and Piston launched, started Monday, December 18, and is slated to end on December 29, days before the December 31 deadline for franchise consolidation and phaseout of traditional jeepneys.
Both strikes are in protest of the upcoming deadline.
Moreover, Fajardo said they will be on full alert until Traslacion or the Feast of the Black Nazarene next year.
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