Police units across Southern Metro Manila began deploying vehicles Tuesday to provide free rides and assist passengers stranded by a three-day transport strike that started this week.

The initiative, part of the Philippine National Police’s “Libreng Sakay” program, is being carried out by city police stations under the Southern Police District (SPD), offering free transport in Pasay, Makati, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa and Taguig. The free service will run until Thursday.

The transport strike, organized by the group Manibela, began Tuesday, 9 December.

In a Facebook post, Manibela claimed the widespread disruption in Metro Manila was due to the absence of jeepneys, which it attributed to the “excessive arrogance of the Department of Transportation, Land Transport Franchising and Regulatory Board and the Land Transportation Office,” accusing the agencies of having a “lack of concern and understanding for the Filipino people.”

To mitigate the impact on commuters, police units offered free transportation along major routes in the affected cities.

In Pasay, transport was provided along routes including Villamor Base to R. Higgins in Barangay 185, FB Harrison Street to Arnaiz Avenue, and EDSA-Apelo Cruz to the EDSA Rotonda MRT Area. Makati police assisted commuters along J.P. Rizal to Malugay.

Over at Parañaque, rides were offered from Airport Road to Roxas Boulevard, East Service Road to Barangay San Martin de Porres and Wilcon Depot to SM Sucat.

Personnel in Las Piñas operated routes in TS Cruz Subdivision, Naga Road to J. Aguilar Avenue, and areas in Pamplona Dos and Almanza Uno.

Meantime, Muntinlupa police offered rides along Lyceum of Alabang, SM Center Muntinlupa, Concepcion Road, Sucat Interchange, and communities in Alabang, while the Taguig Police assisted residents between San Pedro Street in Barangay Ibayo Tipas to Tipas National High School.