Six transport leaders from the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston) and MANIBELA filed counter charges against state forces after their arrest during a demonstration on September 18. 

The protest headed by traditional jeepney drivers and small operators was held in response to the transport summit attended by the Chairman of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) that took place in L’Fisher Hotel. 

Among those detained were Lillian Sembrano, President of Kabacod Negros Transport (KNETCO Piston); Eric Bindoy, Secretary General of the United Negros Drivers and Operators Center (UNDOC Piston),Rudy Cathedral, President of Bacolod Manibela; Melchor Omagayon, a member of Manibela; Rodolfo Gardose, President of UNDOC Piston; and Shalemar Saliot of KNETCO. 

As of press time, the six transport leaders remained detained in Bacolod City Police Station 2.

The leaders were participating in a peaceful protest to urge the transport summit to include their voices in discussions concerning the government’s modernization program, which threatens the phaseout of traditional jeepneys.

State forces were reported to have deployed a firetruck and used a water cannon against the protesting drivers, issuing threats to tow vehicles if they did not disperse. 

Police Colonel Joeresty Coronica, Director of the Bacolod City Police Office, stated the arrested individuals could face charges for violating Batas Pambansa Bilang 880 for protesting without the necessary permits, as well as potential charges for resisting authorities and obstructing roads under Republic Act 4136.

Legal counsel Atty. Rey Gorgonio claimed there were no valid grounds for the detentions and demanded the immediate release of the leaders.

Noli Rosales of Kilusang Mayo Uno Negros criticized the police forces’ actions, labeling the arrests as illegal, adding the Marcos administration is disregarding the transport group’s calls to revisit the modernization program.

“I am proud to be detained in the name of our cause,” said Lillian Sembrano.

Last August 28, the Bacolod City Council passed Resolution 694 s2024, supporting the suspension of the modernization program and urging the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and LTFRB to allow the renewal of individual franchises and registrations, even for those who have not consolidated. This action came in response to the series of protests and strikes made by the transport groups, which culminated in a surprise trooping and silent protest at the Bacolod City Government Center.