PNP mobilizes cops, resources for Dec. 9 to 11, 2025 transport strike

The Philippine National Police (PNP) will deploy its personnel to key transport hubs, main thoroughfares, and affected routes to assist and maintain peace and order during the three-day transport strike beginning Tuesday, December 9. 

In a press release issued Monday, PNP acting chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said that police commanders were also tasked to coordinate with local government units and other government agencies “for a unified response to cushion the effects of the transport strike.”

“Our personnel will be on the ground not only to secure the protest action but also conduct assessment on areas that need mobility assets for our kababayan that may be stranded,” he said.

Nartatez’s directive was in line with the order of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., through the guidance of Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, to guarantee public safety, maintain smooth mobility, and ensure that essential services remain uninterrupted the strike. 

“Our goal is to make sure that the protest action will be done peacefully and orderly similar to the same activities in the past,” the PNP chief said. 

Earlier, transport group MANIBELA announced that it would stage a nationwide transport strike from December 9 to 11 to protest what it described as excessive penalties as well as the slow processing of government documents.

MANIBELA also raised concern that authorities continue to require drivers and operators of unconsolidated public utility vehicles (PUVs) to secure provisional authorities, saying the practice has been adding to the burden of operators who are already facing penalties and delays in document processing.

Police vehicles will also be on standby to provide immediate assistance to commuters who may experience delays or difficulty finding transportation amid the three-day activity.

Nartatez assured the public that the PNP remains committed “to working closely with transport groups and other stakeholders to prevent disruptions and ensure a peaceful and orderly conduct of the strike”

He said that previous protest actions had ended without major incidents due to strong coordination and mutual respect between transport groups and law enforcers.

The PNP said that in previous transport strikes, no untoward incident was reported due to the partnership of authorities and transport groups. —AOL, GMA Integrated News