QUEZON CITY, Philippines — Transport group Piston renewed its calls for the removal of taxes on petroleum products and lower fuel prices Tuesday as its two-day nationwide transport strike began.
Piston President Mody Floranda, speaking to supporters in Cubao, Quezon City, criticized the government's response to the transport sector's concerns over rising fuel prices.
Piston reported 37 strike and protest centers in the National Capital Region and several provinces, including Baguio, Laguna, Albay, Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Aklan and General Santos.
The group called for the removal of value-added and excise taxes on petroleum products, lower fuel prices, higher wages and income, and the repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law. It also sought measures against what it described as excessive profits by oil companies.
"We have repeatedly called for the removal of VAT and excise tax on petroleum and other basic commodities," the group stated in Filipino.
Piston also called for the repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law and an end to what it described as excessive profits by Petron, Shell and Caltex.
The group claimed that police attempted to stop or disrupt some of its protests, citing incidents in Cebu and Novaliches. These claims were not independently verified.
The strike is scheduled to continue through Wednesday, Sept. 30, with further protests planned.
In a separate statement Tuesday, Piston reported that one of its members, identified as “Tatay Elmer,” became unconscious while at a strike center in Monumento and was brought to Caloocan City Medical Center.
"He was immediately rushed to Caloocan City Medical Center and remains unconscious," Piston stated in Filipino.
The group did not provide further medical details about Elmer's condition.
Piston's strike is focused on calls for lower fuel prices, the removal of taxes on petroleum products and changes to policies affecting fuel prices.
