Manibela apologizes for traffic but pushes through with transport strike

As transport group Samahang Manibela Mananakay at Nagkaisang Terminal ng Transportasyon (Manibela) continued with the second day of its transport strike on Tuesday, its leader apologized for the traffic caused by their protest on Monday, as well as the alleged hitting of a radio reporter.

Manibela chairperson Mar Valbuena said they were aware of how much traffic their protest caused on Monday morning as they did not expect the influx of public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators to join the rally.

The group started its three-day protest on Monday to call on the government and transport authorities to give unconsolidated jeepney drivers and operators one more year provisional authority following the April 30 deadline for consolidation.

“Ako po ay humihingi ng paumanhin sa lahat ng nangyari kahapon, sa mga nagawa namin, kung anuman ang naging komprontasyon sa mamamahayag na si sir Val, at ‘yung naidulot na trapiko nitong protesta namin kahapon. Kami ay nagpapakumbabang humihingi ng paumanhin,” Valbuena said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.

(I’m apologizing for everything that happened yesterday, for what we did, for the confrontation that happened with journalist Sir Val, and for the traffic that our protest yesterday caused. We humbly apologize.)

On Monday, DZRH journalist Val Gonzales was allegedly hit by some members of Manibela while he was doing his live report on the group’s protest along East Avenue in Diliman, Quezon City.

The radio reporter was reporting that Manibela occupied the road as the protest was ongoing for about 30 minutes when some of its members allegedly surrounded him and punched him twice in his waist.

Gonzales coordinated with the Quezon City Police District for the filing of a complaint against the Manibela members.

Valbuena has repeatedly denied the allegation, saying that his group respects members of the media.

“Mariin namin itong itinatanggi. Kung mayroong panununtok na nangyari, baka hindi po nakatayo itong ating reporter. Kami, malaki ang respeto namin sa ating mga mamamahayag lalo na sa inyo dahil dito kami umaasa na ‘yung aming hinaing ay maiparating sa gobyerno,” he said.

(We strongly deny this. If the reporter was really punched, he shouldn’t be able to stand. We have a lot of respect for our journalists because they help convey our call to the government.)  

Regardless, Valbuena said that the group takes responsibility for what happened and is willing to coordinate with Gonzales once the tension cools down.

“Siguro ito ‘yung panahon na kapag medyo kalmado na at wala nang tensyon ay makapag-usap kaming lahat,” he added.

(I hope we can talk once the situation is calmer and there is no more tension.)

The three-day transport strike is set to continue until Wednesday, June 12. —KG, GMA Integrated News