PNP to deploy around 180K cops for March 19 nationwide transport strike

Around 180,000 police personnel are set to be deployed to ensure peace and order during the planned nationwide transport strike on Thursday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Wednesday.

“We have the strength of 230,000 plus and 85% of which, ito po ay dedicated po sa mga police visibility natin o ito po yung mga nasa kalsada natin,” PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño said at Kapihan sa Manila Hotel forum.

(We have a strength of 230,000 plus and 85% of which is dedicated to our police visibility on the roads.)

Aside from security, the official said police personnel will also offer free rides to stranded commuters using PNP’s mobility assets.

“Hindi lang ito about police visibility, kundi yung tunay na pagtulong ng PNP sa mga kababayan natin na na possible na ma-stranded sa pamamagitan ng pag-deploy ng mobility assets po ng PNP para po sa tinatawag natin na libreng sakay,” Tuaño said.

(This is not just about police visibility, but the PNP's real assistance to our countrymen who may be stranded through the deployment of PNP mobility assets for what we call free rides.)

Transport group PISTON on Monday announced a nationwide strike on Thursday to protest against the series of fuel price hikes due to the tensions in the Middle East.

“Ngayong darating po na March 19 ay idedeklara po natin at ilulunsad po natin, hindi lamang po sa National Capital Region kundi sa buong bansa,” PISTON national president Mody Floranda earlier said.

(We will launch it on March 19, not only in the National Capital Region but across the country.)

“Ang isang protesta at welga na pangungunahan ng driver, operator, at mamamayan laban sa pagkainutil ng administrasyon ni Bongbong Marcos, laban sa US aggression na kung saan ay nagdudulot ng pahirap sa mamamayang Pilipino,” he added.

(A protest and strike will be led by drivers, operators, and citizens against the inaction of the Bongbong Marcos administration and US aggression which are causing difficulties to the Filipino people.) —VAL, GMA Integrated News