PNP mobilizes 7K cops amid transport strike

The Philippine National Police (PNP) deployed more than 7,000 officers across Metro Manila on Monday as transport group Manibela launched a two-day nationwide strike to protest soaring petroleum prices.

PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said police units implemented security measures similar to those used during previous transport strikes to maintain peace, ensure public safety, and minimize disruptions for road users.

“We understand the concerns raised by the transport group on this particular issue. Just like all the other motorists, we in the PNP are also affected by the oil price increase,” Nartatez said.

“But we have a mandate to perform, an obligation to ensure peace, order and safety for everybody at all times. We respect your right to hold transport strike, we expect the same for our personnel on the ground who were tasked to ensure public order and safety,” he added.

Nartatez directed local police units to coordinate with local government units and partner agencies to assist stranded commuters.

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) deployed 7,195 officers for strike operations, including 11 drone operators for protest monitoring, 302 members of the Reactionary Standby Support Force, and 491 civil disturbance management personnel.

An additional 1,306 officers were placed on standby.

The NCRPO also assigned 126 officers for traffic assistance, 457 for checkpoints, 355 for border control, and thousands more for foot, mobile, motorcycle and fixed-post patrols.

The strike, set to end Tuesday, stranded passengers along major thoroughfares in Metro Manila, including Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.

Manibela president Mar Valbuena said the protest includes traditional jeepneys, UV Express vans, motorcycle taxis, and transport network vehicle services.

“The price of petroleum products is already reaching P100,” Valbuena said. “Diesel and gasoline are what we use for our operations.”

Valbuena criticized government regulators for failing to approve a requested P2 fare increase despite recent hearings at the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

“There is still nothing,” Valbuena said. “They are just giving drivers and operators false hope, while commuters will be the ones who will be greatly affected.”

The transportation disruption prompted major universities to alter class schedules.

Meantime, University of Santo Tomas moved all classes to its virtual instruction mode Monday, while Adamson University and Emilio Aguinaldo College Manila also shifted to online learning. Far Eastern University adjusted its schedule to conduct synchronous online classes through Wednesday across its Manila and Makati campuses.

Technological Institute of the Philippines announced online class suspensions for Tuesday at its Manila and Quezon City campuses.

The University of the East, on the other hand, maintained in-person classes across its Manila and Caloocan campuses, instructing faculty members to extend leniency to students affected by transport shortages.