Traffic at SLEX slows as bus, truck operators begin protest motorcade

Traffic at the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) slowed Thursday morning as bus, truck and transport operators started at 10 a.m. a motorcade to protest a looming toll increase that may take effect October 1. Participating vehicles gathered near a gasoline station at the southbound lane of the SLEX before starting the motorcade, radio dzBB's Sam Nielsen reported. Among the participants were passenger buses and trucks plying routes in Southern Luzon, as well as jeeps from the Alliance of Concerned Transport Operators (ACTO). Earlier in the day, police and transportation authorities tightened security at the SLEX in time for the planned motorcade. Teams from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) gathered at the SLEX as early as 6 a.m. The report said the teams included:

• PNP Highway Patrol Group motorcycle units
• Southern Police District anti-riot teams
• LTFRB teams
• Augmentation teams from the Metro Manila police

Earlier, Southern Luzon bus operators said they would hold the motorcade from Makati City to SLEX to protest the coming toll hikes, expected to take effect Oct. 1. The motorcade was to start at 10 a.m. Organizers of the motorcade said they plan to go from Makati Cuty to the Calamba Exit of SLEX, then return to Makati City. Meanwhile, a separate dzBB report said operators of the Skyway are also keeping watch over the participants at the motorcade. The report quoted Skyway spokesman Ed Nepomuceno as saying they will allow the participants to use Skyway so long as they follow the rules there. But Nepomuceno said Skyway traffic enforcers will not hesitate to arrest them if they deliberately disrupt traffic at Skyway, the report added. — LBG, GMA News