Public transport drivers and operators, workers, urban poor residents, youth students, and other sectors carried out various forms of action on April 15-17 against the extremely high price of oil and the war aggression of the US and Israel in Iran and other parts of the Middle East. Dubbed a people’s protest, they launched transport strikes, walkouts, pickets, noise barrages, concerts, protest camps, fishing stoppages, and motorcades in Metro Manila and in other cities and provinces.

Led by Piston (Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide, or Unity of Drivers’ and Operators’ Associations Nationwide), drivers and operators staged protests in at least 10 centers in Metro Manila. Protests were also held in Legazpi City and in four centers in Cebu City.

The combined transport strike of Undoc-Piston, KNETCO, and Bacod-Manibela paralyzed routes in Bacolod City on April 15. Meanwhile, the group Manibela launched a separate transport strike in Metro Manila and other cities from April 15-17.

University of the Philippines-Diliman students walked out of classes on April 15. They also used concerts at the UP Fair from April 15-18 to highlight calls against US war aggression, high oil prices, and the economic crisis.

Cavite and Navotas City fisherfolk stopped going out to sea on April 17 to join the actions. That same day, Kalikasan group marched to and protested at the Shell headquarters in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City to denounce the company’s greed for profit.

The workers’ strike at Kowloon House West and the protest camp of urban poor residents at the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Quezon City were also part of the people’s protest.

Commuters and supporters joined by setting up people’s kitchens and community pantries for drivers and operators. Led by PARA-Commuters’ Network, the initiative was launched in Metro Manila and in the cities of Baguio, Batangas, Cebu, and Davao. Students from public and private schools and universities joined in troves. This indicts the Marcos regime’s incompetence in addressing the grievances and hunger of the poor. On April 18, a motorcycle taxi rider died in Quezon City while lining up to receive the regime’s meager aid.

Meanwhile, Piston filed a petition for a ₱10 fare increase on April 20 at the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) so drivers’ income can keep pace with extremely expensive diesel. On the same day, the Bus Employees Association of the Philippines protested at the LTFRB to hold the agency accountable. Starting April 21, groups are launching a new series of people’s protests.