More than 7,000 police officers have been deployed across Metro Manila to maintain public order and assist commuters during a two-day transport strike organized by the group Manibela.
The nationwide police force is implementing standard security protocols across the National Capital Region (NCR) and key urban areas to minimize traffic disruptions and ensure safety.
PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered local units to collaborate with local governments to provide free rides and assistance to stranded commuters while upholding peaceful public demonstrations.
“We understand the concerns raised by the transport group on this particular issue. Just like all the other motorists, we in the PNP are also affected by the oil price increase,” Nartatez said.
“But we have a mandate to perform, an obligation to ensure peace, order and safety for everybody at all times. We respect your right to hold transport strike, we expect the same for our personnel on the ground who were tasked to ensure public order and safety,” he added.
According to data from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), the law enforcement footprint for the protest includes specialized units and widespread visibility operations:
- Monitoring & Crowd Control: 11 drone operators, 491 civil disturbance personnel, and 302 members of the Reactionary Standby Support Force, with 1,306 officers on standby.
- Traffic & Border Operations: 126 officers assigned to traffic management, 457 at checkpoints, and 355 stationed at border control posts.
- Patrols & High Visibility: 1,542 foot patrols, 1,344 mobile patrols, 1,068 motorcycle units, and 635 officers posted at fixed visibility locations.
The strike, launched by Manibela to protest rising fuel costs, is scheduled to run through Tuesday, September 15.