Six (6) jeepney drivers were detained because of "disobedience to social distancing and mass gathering, and resistance to persons in authority." This is all happening because of their protest due to hunger from loss of livelihood for three (3) months now with few to no relief from the government.
They ask to resume mass transportation operations which is quite reasonable as majority of the cities in the country is now in General Community Quarantine where most employees are now back to work. Both the drivers and commuters are two of the most affected in the decision to ease the quarantine rules yet only a few buses are in operation with questionable pick-up and drop-off points.
It should also be noted that people with power who broke the social distancing rules were treated leniently and were not supposed to be probed until the public outcry. (READ: Chief of Police Birthday Party , Pimentel to recover from COVID before probe, Palace hands off on Mocha Uson's mass gathering attendance amid COVID-19 crisis )
One of the detainees is an 87-year-old driver who told the lawyer who represents them that his measly income of 50 pesos (around 1 USD) cannot be compared to zero peso they have now. They can't even buy salt, he says.
They faced a fine of Php 3,000 (approx. 60 USD) each. This might be a few coins for other people but for these old and hungry jeepney drivers, it's a luxury to even hold a thousand peso. Many citizens have pledged to help them get out of jail.
However, I'm still going to post their account #s should any of you decide to also help them and their families:
BPI Bank Account:
Piston LandTransport Coalition
3323-2909-53
PayPal:
Jerahmeel Concha
http://paypal.me/jakeco9
I dedicated this piece to these hardworking lolos. #FreePiston6
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