ORGANIZED passenger bus employees and their supporters on Wednesday (Sept. 17) rolled their three-day protest against widespread government corruption, along with the core issues of rising fuel prices and the ongoing jeepney modernization program.
This as tens of thousands of protesters are expected to overwhelm the Rizal Park in Manila and the People Power Monument along EDSA on Sept. 21 to commemorate the 53rd year of the declaration of Martial Law, as well as to denounce massive corruption in the government’s anti-flood program.
Meanwhile, following President Marcos’ call for a safe and peaceful expression of public sentiments, the Philippine National Police (PNP) will deploy over 50,000 personnel nationwide to secure the upcoming September 21 indignation rallies.
For its part, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) fielded traffic enforcers to the vicinity of the Philippine Coconut Authority (Philcoa) on Elliptical Road in Quezon City, to help policemen manage the flow of vehicles.
The Malayang Alyansa ng Bus Employees at Laborers (Manibela) said they denounced anomalous flood control projects amid rising fuel prices and the jeepney modernization push.
“Diesel excise tax, it turns out, only goes to the luxury of politicians’ children. It is no longer right that we are the ones who indulge and fund their luxury, while the masses of drivers travel almost overnight to earn enough for their families. It is unacceptable that these things are happening while we are mired in poverty and disaster caused by their theft,” Manibela leader Mar Valbuena lamented.
He said the protest actions which involve at least 100,000 drivers, will last until Friday.
A separate rally will also be staged today by the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston). Leaders of the group said they will hold a protest strike against corruption today, and invited all workers from different modes of public transportation, commuters, and allies to join them.
“Because of skyrocketing oil prices, jeepney drivers are now paying almost P12,000 per month in VAT and excise taxes on fuel. But that same hard-earned money is being pocketed by corrupt politicians and officials together with their shady flood control contractors. Funds that could have gone into subsidizing jeepney rehabilitation and improving public transport are instead financing their luxury cars and lavish lifestyles,” the group asserted.
MMDA chairman Romando Artes maintained that concerned government agencies are consistently ready for these demonstrations, noting that contingency plans have been established in the National Capital Region (NCR).
He said MMDA assets, including its 20 buses and other vehicles marked with “Libreng Sakay,” will be on standby, ready to roll out and accommodate stranded passengers.
Artes also said they are coordinating with the Department of Transportation, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, as well as local government units in Metro Manila to ensure that disruptions and commuter inconvenience are minimized.
The MMDA chief appealed to protesters not to harass fellow drivers who will continue to work, saying they should not prevent those who want to earn a living for their families.
Despite the minimal effect on public transport operations during the previous strikes, the cities of Manila, Parañaque, Caloocan, and Pasig experienced disruptions while the protests led to the suspension of classes in some public and private schools in the metropolis.
Artes acknowledged the fact that previous transport strikes had been successful, paralyzing public conveyance in Metro Manila and other urban areas across the country, sometimes leading to class suspensions.
However, recent transport strikes had minimal effects due to strategic government planning to cushion the impact, including the deployment of vehicles for libreng sakay or free rides, Artes said..
“Rain or shine, with permit or without permit, we will proceed with the rally on Sunday,” Taumbayan Ayaw sa Magnanakaw at Abusado Network Alliance (Tama Na) lead convenor David Michael San Juan said at a news briefing in Quezon City.
The assembly was dubbed “Baha sa Luneta, Protesta Laban sa Korapsyon.”
The De La Salle University professor said 700 leaders from various groups have committed to join the rally, including bishops and other religious leaders.
Corrupt government officials from both administrations of ex-President Rodrigo Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. must be held accountable and prosecuted, he said, adding that corruption in flood control projects had already happened even before the Marcos’ term.
He bared that they have secured a permit to rally from the Manila city government.
“But we would still want to see and talk to the police and Mayor Isko Moreno,” he told reporters.
“Permit or no permit, no one can stop us to converge in Luneta,” the students’ groups from DLSU and Ateneo de Manila University said.
Valbuena said “we will offer a free ride to all those joining the rally.”
Activist and former congressman Teddy Casiño warned the Duterte supporters not to take advantage of the scheduled rally to call for the return of ex-President Rodrigo Duterte to the Philippines, and to voice sentiments to install VP Sara Duterte into presidency.
“We will not allow that to happen,” he said.
Teresita Ang-See, chairperson of the Movement for Restoration of Peace and Order, said the Filipino-Chinese community was outraged by the massive corruption involving contractors of flood control projects, the Department of Public Works and Highways officials and politicians.
Bikers and joggers as well as media personnel will be joining the protest, said Mae Paner, also known as Juana Change.
In Camp Crame, the PNP said the massive deployment is designed to protect both participants and the general public while ensuring that daily life continues smoothly in affected areas.
“While we respect the right of every Filipino to peacefully express their views, our foremost duty is to protect lives and property. Our personnel are trained and ready to ensure that the protests remain orderly and safe for everyone,” said acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.
The deployment will include nearly 10,000 officers in fixed visibility posts, more than 17,000 on mobile patrol, over 3,000 assisting traffic, more than 9,000 manning checkpoints and border control points, nearly 6,000 ready for crowd management, over 4,500 in the Reactionary Standby Support Force (RSSF), and 415 drone operators.
Together, these units form a coordinated effort to keep communities safe while respecting the public’s right to peaceful assembly.
