Maximum tolerance on Monday's transport rally

CEBU, Philippines - Police expect transport sector to be orderly on Monday and said maximum tolerance will be imposed during the planned mass action. 

City Police Director Sr. Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe yesterday urged demonstrators to police their ranks to prevent untoward incidents during the protest.

“We are confident, like before, they will conduct themselves in (an) orderly and peaceful manner,” Buenafe said.

Buenafe said his men will secure the area where demonstrators will hold their programs and will assist in maintaining vehicle traffic. Several policemen will also be on standby to respond to possible violence.

Buenafe warned the demonstrator not to obstruct major thoroughfares or face police intervention.

Meanwhile, the City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM) has prepared 24 Kaohsiung buses to ferry passengers that might get stranded on Monday.

This despite the assurance of local transport groups that they will not join the nationwide transport strike. So far, only the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) will participate in the strike.

The other groups, the Cebu South Mini-Bus Operators Association (CSMBOA), Cebu Provincial Bus Operators’ Association (CPBOA), Alliance of Concerned Transport Operators, and Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines said they will not participate.    - (THE FREEMAN)