Transport strike: AFP to use rice delivery trucks for ‘libreng sakay’

MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Sunday it may divert trucks delivering National Food Authority (NFA) rice to ferrying commuters stranded by Monday's transport strike. Radio dzBB reported that the AFP Metro Manila command said it is monitoring the situation to see if the diversion of the NFA-delivering trucks will be needed. AFP Metro Manila command spokesman Capt. Carlo Ferrer also said that while they will be on heightened alert during the strike, they can go on red alert if the need arises. This developed as militant transport groups, on the eve of their transport strike, warned police against harassing them with claims of blocking and forcing other drivers to join them. Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) Secretary General George San Mateo said the group's members use persuasion and not force in urging drivers to join them. "As a matter of principle ang Piston hindi gumagamit ng ganitong force. Ang ginagamit natin, persuasion. Hinihikayat natin sila based sa merits ng problema (As a matter of principle Piston does not use force. We use persuasion. We convince drivers to join us on the basis of the merits of the issue)," San Mateo said in an interview on dzXL radio. He admitted that Piston members and affiliates would talk to drivers who continue to ply their routes, but insisted this was not an act of harassment. On the other hand, he said some policemen exploit the situation and arrest their members for supposed harassment. "Pinapaliwanag natin sa kanila. Ang problema, ang iba sa awtoridad kinakausap ng driver sa gilid sa stoplight sinasabi agad hinaharang (We are just explaining the situation to other drivers. But some policemen see this and immediately accuse us of harassment)," he said. For his part, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Chief Supt. Nicanor Bartolome said they will merely observe the proceedings on Monday. But Bartolome said there are incidents where it is not the driver of the blocked jeep but the passenger who reacts. "Even passengers of the blocked jeeps are reacting in some cases," he said. Earlier, Bartolome said PNP chief Dir. Gen. Avelino Razon Jr had given police commanders in the regional, provincial, city and town levels the leeway to declare heightened or full alerts. In Metro Manila, police were to go on full alert Sunday evening in time for Monday's strike. "The Chief PNP gave authority to declare whatever is necessary and whatever is commensurate in their respective areas of responsibility," Bartolome said. - GMANews.TV