2 PISTON leaders arrested over harassment during transport strike

Authorities have arrested two leaders of the transport group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) for alleged harassment as jeepney drivers and operators held a transport strike on Monday, an official from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said.

“Naka-arrest na po ng dalawang leaders ng PISTON and nasa custody na po ng PNP (Philippine National Police),” Atty. Aileen Lizada, LTFRB board member, said in a Balitanghali interview on Monday.

Lizada said they have received reports of harassment and threats allegedly committed by participants of the transport strike.

“Meron na rin po kaming mga reports na kanilang binabato ng bote, hina-harass, tine-threaten, nagtatapon po sila ng mga pako along Guadalupe-Kalayaan,” Lizada said.

She, however, has yet to tell what charges will be filed against the apprehended PISTON leaders.

“I have to get details from police station na nag-arrest doon sa dalawang leaders as to the charges that they will be filing at bakit nasa custody nila,” Lizada said.

As for the alleged incidents of harassment, Lizada said the PNP has already instructed their respective ground commanders to look into these reports.

“They give direct instructions sa kanilang commanders on the ground to address this immediately,” she said.

The jeepney drivers and operators were staging the transport strike in protest of the Department of Transportation's (DOTr) jeepney phaseout and jeepney corporation plan.

According to them, their livelihood will be greatly affected by the planned phaseout.

Under the draft of the Department Order which shall take effect on Aug. 16, 2017, the minimum capitalization of a jeepney operator will be raised to P7 million.

Operators will need to have at least 10 jeepney units to have a franchise to operate.

Earlier this month, a transport strike for the same purpose was spearheaded by the Stop and Go Coalition. —Erwin Colcol/KG, GMA News