MANILA, Philippines -- Police in Metro Manila will be placed on full alert beginning 8 p.m. Sunday ahead the nationwide transport strike called for Monday by the leftist transport group Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston, United Organizations of Drivers and Operators Nationwide).

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Geary Barias said at least 2,000 policemen will be deployed on Monday to avert any violence during the protest.

However, he said, the deployment could reach 10,000 if needed.

Barias said they are coordinating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other government agencies to gather buses and trucks to ferry commuters on selected routes on Monday.

"Nagbigay ako ng directive to police stations na humingi ng tulong sa local government units na magtalaga ng libreng sakay gaya ng gawain ng NCRPO na maglalaan ng trucks or buses na magbibigay ng libreng sakay [I have given a directive to police stations to seek the help of local government units to provide free rides like the NCRPO, which will deploy trucks or buses to give free rides]," he said.

Barias said Piston secretary general George San Mateo assured him protesters would keep the transport strike peaceful.