PNP to heighten alert status due to week-long transport strike

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday said it will place its units on heightened alert status in light of the week-long transport holiday being organized by several transportation groups.

PNP Public Information Office chief Police Colonel Red Maranan said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview that under this status, 80% of the police force will be on duty to provide assistance and security to commuters who will be affected by the transport strike.

“Itataas natin ang ating alert status. Magpapakalat tayo ng mga police natin doon sa mga lugar kung saan sumasakay ang ating mga kababayan para makapagbigay tayo ng kaukulang seguridad sa ating mga kababayan,” he said.

(We will raise our alert status. We will deploy our police in the places where commuters are so that we can provide adequate security to them.)

“Bukas o mamayang gabi ay ibababa ang heightened alert status natin,” he added.

(The heightened alert status will be raised either tonight or tomorrow.)

Maranan said that the PNP will allocate its available mobile patrol vehicles to provide free rides to commuters to their destinations.

He also advised the public to be cautious and refrain from going out if they do not have important plans.

Several transport groups earlier announced the strike in the National Capital Region and Central Luzon from March 6 to 12, to oppose the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program which aims to replace traditional jeepneys with vehicles powered by more environment-friendly fuels. —KG, GMA Integrated News