Laguna strikers block public transport, puncture tires – police

Jeepney transport strikes were staged in major cities of Luzon, Visayas and parts of Mindanao on Feb. 27, 2017. NIÑO JESUS ORBETA / PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER

SAN PEDRO CITY, Laguna — Commuters from three major cities of Laguna province felt the brunt of Monday’s nationwide transport strike, as groups protested the planned phaseout of old public utility jeepneys.

Separate reports coming from the Laguna police and the provincial government showed that commuters from the province’s first district, composed of the cities of San Pedro, Biñan and Sta. Rosa, were heavily affected.

These three cities, as well as the cities of Cabuyao and San Pablo, suspended classes at all levels after several jeepney and tricycle drivers refused to ply their regular routes.

Supt. Harold Depositar, police chief here, said members of the militant Pinagkaisahang Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) were “blocking” tricycle drivers who offered trips as substitute to public utility jeepneys that joined the protest.

Commuter Lucille Gregorio said protesters had forced passengers off tricycles “and threatened to overturn the tricycle should they refuse” to get out of the vehicle.

Rommel Palacol of the Laguna Action Center said there were also reports of strikers spiking or puncturing tires of jeepneys that did not join the strike.

Palacol said PUJ routes affected by the protests were the San Pablo City-Sta. Cruz route; Calamba City University of the Philippines Los Baños-College route; and areas in Sta. Cruz, Liliw and Cavinti. He said jeepneys refused to leave major terminals here, in Biñan, Sta. Rosa and Calamba since 8 a.m.  SFM/rga