MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has linked the planned transport strikes over rising fuel prices to the “Red October” plot to oust President Duterte.
Transport groups, however, said the move aims to crack down on legitimate protests of the people.
The DOTr issued a statement about a supposed strike by some transport groups.
“The DOTr and LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board) will not tolerate any transport strike. We will make sure that the laws are enforced,” it said.
The DOTr and LTFRB said the franchises given to public utility vehicle (PUV) operators are a privilege and holding a transport strike is a violation of their responsibility.
George San Mateo, national president of the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators Nationwide, belied the DOTr’s allegation.
“That is not true. The DOTr is using the Red October plot to repress legitimate protests of PUV drivers and operators who are affected by the government’s jeepney phaseout program,” he said.
Jun Magno of the Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators ng Pilipinas Genuine Organization dismissed the allegation of the DOTr as the product of a “wild imagination.”
Magno said the DOTr is resorting to such a move because of the high inflation rate and the soaring prices of oil and basic commodities.