Nationwide transport strike generally peaceful so far — PNP

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Friday morning the two-day nationwide transport strike amid tensions in the Middle East has remained generally peaceful despite reports of stranded commuters in Metro Manila.

"We did not monitor any major untoward incident. There were some minor disruptions but this was immediately resolved through proper communication initiated by our personnel on the ground," PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement.

"Police visibility helps deter incidents. Kapag may presensya ang pulis, mas nagiging disiplinado ang lahat," he added.

(When the police are present, everyone becomes more disciplined.)

According to the PNP, nearly 9,000 police personnel and around 400 vehicles were deployed in Metro Manila to ensure peace and order, and to assist stranded commuters.

Nartatez emphasized that maximum tolerance for protesters remains in effect.

A coalition of transport groups on Friday proceeded with the second day of its nationwide strike to protest rising fuel prices linked to the Middle East tensions.

The strike, which started Thursday, involves transport workers from multiple sectors, including jeepneys, buses, UV Express units, transport network vehicle services (TNVS), and motorcycle taxis.

No To Oil Price Hike Coalition called for the removal of value-added tax (VAT) and excise taxes on petroleum products, rollback of fuel prices to P55 per liter, and scrapping of the Oil Deregulation Law.

They also demanded fare increases across all transport modes, a P1,200-family living wage, and the nationalization of the oil industry to allow the government to directly procure and sell fuel at lower costs.

According to the group, wars should be stopped to end the rising fuel prices.

In response to the strike, various government agencies rolled out free ride programs to assist commuters affected by the disruption. — VDV, GMA Integrated News