Police assistance ready during transport groups' unity walk

MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) will provide security and dispatch vehicles for commuters who might be affected by the "unity walk" to be staged Monday by transport groups supporting the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP).

In a radio interview Sunday, PNP spokesperson and information chief Col. Jean Fajardo said the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority will also deploy assets to ferry commuters.

"On the part of the PNP, habang nagpapatrol ang ating mga pulis sa lansangan at matitiyempuhan ng ating mga kababayan na ma-stranded ay pupuwede nila itong parahin at bibigyan sila ng assistance at dadalhin sila sa kanilang mga destinasyon, at least pinakamalapit sa kanilang destinasyon (On the part of the PNP, while our police are patrolling the streets and people who are stranded chance upon them, they can stop them and they will be able to give them assistance and take them to their destinations, at least the closest area to their destinations)," Fajardo said.

She added they are communicating with transport groups and stressed that the PNP respects their freedom to air their grievances.

"We appeal to those who will be joining the unity walk tomorrow (Monday) not to harass their fellow drivers who will decide not to participate and want to go back to their work as jeepney drivers to earn money for their families," Fajardo said in Filipino.

By Sunday night, the PNP will put up checkpoints to ensure protest actions will be orderly and peaceful.

"We expect the transport groups will come from Regions 1 (Ilocos), 3 (Central Luzon) and Calabarzon that will participate and in fact from Region 5 (Bicol), we have received reports although we are still confirming it," Fajardo said.

LTFRB Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III previously said several transport cooperatives scheduled the unity walk in support of the government's PTMP.

He called on those joining the walk to ensure that they will continue plying their routes.

Pasang Masda president Roberto Martin condemned the Senate resolution that seeks to suspend the implementation of the PTMP.

Martin, one of the leaders of the Magnificent 7 or the seven transport groups that support the PTMP, said he was surprised by the pronouncement of Senate President Francis Escudero since a significant chunk of the transport sector had already complied with the PTMP. (PNA)