Transport strikers to set up ‘chokepoints’ in GenSan
By Aquiles Zonio
Mindanao Bureau
First Posted 20:46:00 05/11/2008
GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines--Transportation and militant groups vowed to paralyze public transport in key cities in Mindanao on Monday.
Mar Estrada, secretary general of Tires-Piston in General Santos (Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide, United Organization of Drivers and Operators Nationwide), said his group was expecting to paralyze 90 percent of the transport routes in the city.
Estrada said they would set up at least 11 chokepoints in various parts of the city.
He added that their members would be out in the streets as early as 3 a.m. on Monday to start convincing both public and private transport owners to sympathize with the strike.
Aside from Tires-Piston, other militant organizations like the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), Gabriela, and Anak Pawis vowed to support the strike.
Edward Flores, Bayan spokesperson in the South Cotabato-Sultan Kudarat-Sarangani-General Santos area, said all sectors must show concern and vigilance amid the worsening crisis in the country.
Flores claimed militant organizations and civil society groups will join in full force during the Monday strike.
The protesters here are demanding for the scrapping of the oil deregulation law and a P1-fare increase.
Estrada said that as early as last week they already sent out notices of strike to various bus, jeepney, multicab and tricycle operators.
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