PNP ACTING CHIEF LT. GEN. JOSE MELENCIO NARTATEZ JR./ PHOTO FROM HIS OFFICE
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has mobilized sufficient personnel and resources to help maintain peace and order during the three-day transport strike beginning Tuesday.
PNP acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said police commanders were instructed to coordinate with local governments and national agencies for a unified response.
“Our personnel will be on the ground not only to secure the protest action but also to conduct assessment on areas that need mobility assets for our kababayan that may be stranded,” Nartatez said.
He said the deployment aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to guarantee public safety, ensure smooth mobility, and keep essential services running during major public activities.
“Our goal is to make sure that the protest action will be done peacefully and orderly similar to the same activities in the past,” he added.
Police officers will be stationed at key transport hubs, major roads, and affected routes to maintain peace and order throughout the strike.
PNP vehicles will also be placed on standby to offer immediate assistance to commuters who may experience delays or limited transport options.
Nartatez assured the public that the police force remains committed to working with transport groups and stakeholders to minimize disruptions and keep the strike peaceful.
Transport group Manibela scheduled the nationwide strike from Dec. 9 to 11 to protest what it calls excessive penalties and slow government processing of documents.
The group has raised the possibility of extending the strike, but Nartatez said the PNP’s security and assistance measures will remain in place as long as needed, noting that previous strikes saw no untoward incidents due to strong coordination with authorities.