The Philippine National Police (PNP) closed the week with a reassuring call: the three-day nationwide transport strike led by Manibela ended without a single untoward incident, proving that peaceful protest and public safety can stand on the same side of the road.
PNP acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said station commanders across the country reported zero disruptions to community safety from Tuesday through Thursday, crediting both the transport group and police personnel for keeping tensions low and communication open.
Nartatez praised Manibela’s drivers and operators for honoring their commitment to peaceful assembly, noting that police deployed on the ground were tasked not only to safeguard commuters but also the protesters themselves as they marched, rallied, and met with government agencies for dialogue.
Throughout the strike, drivers were able to hold formal discussions with officials from concerned departments—an outcome Nartatez said proves that exercising the right to protest does not have to come at the cost of public order.
Reaffirming the PNP’s stance, Nartatez reminded the public that police stand “in service of everyone’s safety—whether they agree or disagree.” What matters, he said, is ensuring that Filipinos can voice their grievances without fear, and without compromising the peace of the communities they serve.
Image from MANIBELA FB