Calabarzon police get ready to deal with transport strike
LUCENA CITY—The Philippine National Police in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) is ready to assist the public from the disruption due to the transport strike that drivers’ groups are set to hold on Monday.
Police Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas, Police Region 4A (PRO-4A) director, and all police provincial directors in the region have been directed to prepare contingency plans in coordination with local governments and other law enforcement agencies to assist commuters who may be affected by the strike.
However, Lucas stressed police officers manning checkpoints and conducting police operations were ordered “to exercise maximum tolerance and respect for human rights” in dealing with the striking public utility drivers.
“Let us all remain calm and patient in performing our duties. Let us not allow hotheadedness to prevail, especially during these hot days,” he said in a statement issued by PRO-4A on Saturday.
The PRO-4A also organized a Reactionary Standby Support Force for immediate deployment to address any untoward incidents during the duration of the transportation strike.
Teams of police officers will also be assigned to inspect and visit all places of convergence, and civil disturbance management units were activated to address any potential disruption to public peace and order.
Transportation services
Transport groups have earlier declared that they would conduct a series of transport strikes beginning on April 15 in defiance of the government’s pronouncement that the deadline for the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) franchise consolidation would no longer be extended.
Transport groups have called for eliminating the franchise consolidation requirement and the controversial PUV Modernization Program.However, on Wednesday, President Marcos said the April 30 deadline would no longer be extended.
Lucas said government vehicles would be utilized to provide free transportation services to commuters during the strike.
However, he advised the public to stay at home if they have no important matter to attend to outside.
He also called on all police officers to strictly observe the order not to use their mobile phones for private calls while on duty. INQ
