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By Jefferson Antiporda, Reporter
MILITARY and police forces in Metro Manila were
placed under red alert status for the “transport holiday” that
will be staged today by various public transport organizations who
are against the continued use by Metro Manila local governments of
their own traffic ticketing system.
The transport strike will start around 12:01
a.m. Tuesday and will last until the same time on Wednesday.
The National Capital Region (NCR) commands of
the Armed Forces and the National Police expressed their concerns
over what can possibly transpire in today’s transport strike,
since such protest actions can be marred with violence.
Major General Fernando Mesa, Armed Forces NCR
commander said a red alert status has been raised so military
personnel can immediately be made available to augment police
personnel on the field.
Mesa said his command will also deploy vehicles,
including 6x6 trucks, to ferry stranded passengers for free.
National Police Chief, Director Gen. Avelino
Razon Jr., in a media briefing Monday, said plainclothes police
officers will also be fielded in strategic areas in Metro Manila to
monitor the groups participating in the rally.
“We will enforce the law ... they [protesters]
should keep in mind that it is illegal to coerce anybody who will
not join the protest action,” said Razon.
The National Police will also deploy its
transportation assets starting from 6 a.m. today, including 6x6
trucks, buses and Elf trucks from its regional and district offices.
Mayor Alfredo Lim of Manila on Monday ordered
the mobilization of a contingent of vehicles that will help ferry
students and workers who will be affected by today’s transport
strike.
Lim said all available vehicles of the City of
Manila will be mobilized starting 6 a.m. to transport commuters from
all borders of the city.
Against LGU powers
Transport organizations have been objecting to
the continued use of the Ordinance Violation Receipt (OVR) by local
governments in Metro Manila because this results in local traffic
officers mulcting money from drivers.
Transport leaders blamed Local Government
Secretary Ronaldo Puno and Metro Manila Development Authority
Chairman Bayani Fernando for failing to act on the problem as
ordered by President Gloria Arroyo.
Efren de Luna, president of the Alliance of
Concerned Transport Organizations said President Arroyo already
directed Puno and Fernando to find a way to stop local governments
in Metro Manila from using the OVR, and put into place a single
ticketing system for traffic apprehensions.
“But the DILG and MMDA failed to act on the
matter and the suffering of the drivers continue,” de Luna said.
Anakpawis partylist Rep.Crispin Beltran on
Monday expressed full support for the strike, saying that the use of
OVRs by local governments and the redundant enactment of local
traffic laws are discriminatory and oppressive to public utility
drivers
“We are in unity with public utility drivers
and operators who are opposing illegal traffic fines, as the OVR
system reflect small-time corruption within local government units
and government units,” Beltran said.
-- With Sammy Martin and Rommel Lontayao
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