RP gov't eyes fines, suspensions vs transport strike participants

MANILA, Philippines - Unable to dissuade them from calling off their protest on Monday, the government on Saturday warned jeepney drivers and transport operators with fines, suspensions, and franchise cancellation. "Sa mga kaso ng coercion narito ang pulis upang i-monitor 'yan. Ang mga nag-abandon ng route report ng pulis merong sanction 'yan. May fines, suspension and cancellation ng franchise dahil abandoning under the Public Service Act (Our police forces will be on the lookout for drivers coercing others to join the strike. Those who abandon their routes face sanctions like fines, suspension and cancellation of franchise because it violates the Public Service Act)," Thompson Lantion, chairman of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, said on government-run dzRB radio. Lantion made the statement after getting a reassurance from jeep operators that they would not join the strike that would be led by the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston). Also on Saturday, government officials met with police officials and representatives of transport groups not joining the strike to map out plans on dealing with Monday's protest rally. Lantion said "big" operators like Pasang Masda and the Fejodap attended the meeting to assure him that they would not join the strike. Representatives of jeep operators from Central and Southern Luzon were also at the meeting to signify their non-participation in Monday's strike, Lantion said. "Mas marami ang hindi sasama (More groups will not join the strike)," he said. Lantion said representatives of fuel firms were also showed up to work out the mechanics of a P2 fuel subsidy for transport groups. "Narito sila ngayon para makipagpulong sa record book system (They attended the meeting to thresh out details of a record book system to be used in the P2 subsidy)," he said. He said Dir. Geary Barias, Metro Manila police chief, also attended the meeting and discussed preparations for Monday's strike, including the "Libreng Sakay (Free Ride)" program. Lantion, however, refused to answer questions about the extent of disruption by the Piston-led transport strike on Monday. - GMANews.TV