The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) announced it will deploy a sufficient contingent of police personnel to secure key areas and provide free transportation assistance during a multi-day transport strike organized by major jeepney organizations beginning Monday.
The transport strike, spearheaded by the groups Manibela and Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON), comes in response to escalating fuel costs. Manibela’s mobilization is set to run from Monday through Wednesday, while PISTON will join the strike on Tuesday and Wednesday.
NCRPO Officer-in-Charge Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano confirmed that security forces will maintain visibility at high-traffic corridors and critical transport hubs across the capital region.
“Our police presence will be visible in strategic areas throughout Metro Manila,” Abrahano said, emphasizing that law enforcement will maintain neutrality and focus on public safety.
“Our objective is not to interfere with the peaceful exercise of rights, but to make sure that everyone—the protesters, commuters, motorists, drivers, and the general public—can go about their activities safely,” he added.
Abrahano reaffirmed the police force’s commitment to protecting constitutional rights while urging protest leaders to maintain peace and prevent harassment of non-participating drivers.
“We respect the right of our transport sector to express their concerns and grievances,” Abrahano said. “But we appeal to everyone who will participate in the strike to keep it peaceful and orderly. Let us make our voices heard without causing harm, intimidation, or unnecessary inconvenience to the public.”
He stressed that drivers choosing to continue plying their routes should be permitted to operate without coercion or intimidation.
To mitigate service disruptions for workers and students, the NCRPO will mobilize official police vehicles for “Libreng Sakay” (Free Ride) operations across key Metro Manila routes.
“The NCRPO is ready to assist our affected passengers, including through our ‘Libreng Sakay’ operations, so that they can safely reach their workplaces, schools, homes, and other destinations,” Abrahano said. “If we see commuters who are stranded or having difficulty getting transportation, we will do what we can within our mandate to help them.”
Concluding his statement, Abrahano reiterated the balance between public assembly and commuter protection:
“Peaceful protest and respect for the rights of others must go together,” he noted. “Let us exercise our rights responsibly and with consideration for others. Our common goal should be a peaceful Metro Manila where people can express their concerns while commuters and other motorists remain safe and protected.”