AFP offers free rides to stranded passengers
Published Jul 24, 2023 07:40 am
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) deployed 17 military trucks, buses, and coasters to cater to passengers who may be affected by a three-day transport strike beginning on the second State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday, July 24.
*(File photo: Joint Task Force - National Capital Region)
* The vehicles for the “Libreng Sakay” program of the AFP came from the Logistics Command and different major services, and were placed under the operational control of the Joint Task Force – National Capital Region (JTF-NCR). “This is also part of the AFP's efforts to help ensure the peaceful and orderly conduct of the President's State of the Nation Address,” Col. Medel Aguilar, AFP spokesperson, said. “[The vehicles] are in their respective headquarters until they are given service routes determined by the DOTr [Department of Transportation] and the MMDA [Metropolitan Manila Development Authority]. The military vehicles will be deployed when called upon by the Interagency Coordinating Center,” he added. Various transport groups led by Manibela said it will stage a strike involving 200,000 jeepneys nationwide, of which 45,000 are operating in Metro Manila, to air their grievances due to the planned phase out of jeepneys under the government’s public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program. Around 500 military personnel from JTF-NCR were fielded to support the Philippine National Police (PNP) in ensuring peace and security for Marcos’ SONA at Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City. The deployment was composed of civil disturbance management (CDM) companies, ambulance and medical teams, K9 and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams. AFP Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. earlier directed the JTF-NCR to closely coordinate with the PNP to improve the security preparations and preempt serious threats that may compromise peace and security during the SONA.