MANILA, Philippines — At least 2,000 policemen will be deployed in Metro Manila during the transport strike to be staged today by the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON), an official said yesterday.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Oscar Albayalde ordered his five district directors to mobilize 6x6 trucks to transport stranded commuters.

Albayalde said they would allow jeepney drivers and operators to hold protest actions.

PISTON president George San Mateo said the transport holiday aims to compel the government to scrap its jeepney modernization program, which would displace thousands of drivers.

San Mateo said they would hold rallies in Novaliches, Cubao and Welcome Rotunda in Quezon City; Anda Circle in Manila; Monumento in Caloocan City; Alabang in Muntinlupa City, as well as the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal and Laguna.

Albayalde said police would be deployed in these areas to prevent PISTON members from harassing fellow drivers who would continue to ply their route.

“The protesters can use one lane of the road where they will hold their protest, but not the entire road so as not to create monstrous traffic jams,” the NCRPO chief said.

Albayalde urged San Mateo to police their ranks and shun burning of tires.

He ordered the NCRPO tactical operations center to closely monitor the situation in the metropolis so trucks and other vehicles can be sent to affected areas.

More than 50 vehicles from different government agencies will be deployed to transport stranded commuters, Jose Arturo Garcia, acting general manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), said.

Garcia said the MMDA would deploy four buses and an Army truck.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board said it would ask bus companies to help the government in transporting passengers during the strike.

No suspension of classes – DepEd

Classes are not suspended in connection with today’s transport strike, the Department of Education (DepEd) said.

Jesus Lorenzo Mateo, DepEd Undersecretary for planning and field operations, said they have not received any notice on class suspension.

“It’s up to the local government units to cancel classes in their jurisdictions,” Mateo said. – With Ghio Ong, Rainier Allan Ronda