CALAMBA CITY, Philippines -- Thursday’s region-wide transport strike in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) paralyzed 90 percent of transport in targeted key towns and cities before noon, organizers of the protest against the continued escalation of oil prices claimed.

However, in Laguna, provincial police director Senior Superintendent Felipe Rojas Jr. said the protesters achieved only 70 percent transport paralysis because buses and tricycle drivers did not join the strike.

In his own assessment, Calabarzon regional police Chief Supt. Ricardo Padilla said that as of 10 a.m., 40 percent of the Calamba to Canlubang, Calamba to Los Baños-Sta. Cruz, Calamba to Tanauan City routes had been paralyzed; and 80 percent of the Calamba to Cabuyao-San Pedro route.

Rolando Mingo, secretary general of the Southern Tagalog Transport Sector Organization (Starter)-Piston (Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide or United Organizations of Drivers and Operators Nationwide) said the strike was to highlight the transport sector's disgust over the unabated oil price hikes that have left jeepney and tricycle drivers with hardly anything to eat after work.

The strikers are demanding the immediate removal of the 12-percent value-added tax on oil, the repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law, and the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Rojas said local governments deployed barangay (village) patrol cars and trucks to help stranded passengers.

Several commuters in Laguna were forced not to push through with their trips as angry protesters threw stones at passenger jeepneys and buses which did not join in the strike.

"Militant groups participating in the strike were angry at drivers who attempted to ply their routes and threw stones at their vehicles," said Rosanna Jardiolen, 27, of Barangay Paciano in Calamba City.

She attempted to travel to San Pablo City with two other companions, but had to cancel.

In Victoria town, Ashley Cañon, 20, was supposed to go to Sta. Cruz town but also decided to postpone her trip as strikers also threw stones at passenger vehicles plying their usual routes.

Arvin Carandang, a civic leader in San Pablo City, said that as of 9 a.m., jeepney and tricycle operations were paralyzed and people heading for Rizal, Nagcarlan and other parts of Calabarzon were stranded.
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In Siniloan town, bank employee Maan Leopando said jeepneys and tricycles were allowed to pick up passengers very early in the morning but as the day moved on, transport was paralyzed.

Priest Frederick Villareal said transportation was not paralyzed in the Mabitac area. Nor was the strike felt in Lucena City.

The strike started at past 12 midnight and protest centers were set up at designated choke points at 4 a.m.

The transport sector was supported by workers, urban poor, youth and students’ groups.

Mingo said the strike succeeded despite alleged efforts by police to impede the protest.

He claimed that in Tanauan, Batangas, the chief of police reportedly urged drivers not to participate in the strike a day before the protest.

In Barangay Parian, Calamba City, police arrested two youth members of the Bayan Muna (People First) party-list and two tricycle drivers.

Three more members of Bayan Muna and Bayan (Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, New Patriotic Alliance) -ST (Southern Tagalog) were also detained after they tried to follow up on their arrested companions.

Asked about the stone throwing incidents in Laguna, Mingo said these may have been outbursts by protesters but were not coordinated.

"We wanted to make this strike peaceful and organized, and we were telling drivers to avoid violence. But sometimes, we could not control the emotions of the strikers," he said.

Officials of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Sto. Tomas, Batangas cancelled classes at around 10:30 a.m.

Arman Albarillo, secretary general of Bayan-ST said it was not surprising that many sectors joined in the strike.

"The people are fed up with [President Gloria Macapagal] Arroyo, whose seven-year reign has only caused more hunger, poverty and injustice. Eventually, more Filipinos will take to the streets to put an end to this regime," Albarillo said.

He said students from the Union Theological Seminary in Dasmariñas, Cavite, PUP and University of the Philippines-Los Baños joined strikers man the protest centers.

The strike, he said, is part of a series of protests that will culminate on July 28 when Arroyo delivers her state of the nation address.