(Eagle News) — Malacanang on Tuesday belied a militant group’s claims the arrest of transport leader George San Mateo was a form of harassment.
In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that the arrest was “pursuant to a warrant of arrest duly issued by a court and therefore there can be no harassment here.”
“We are just allowing the rule of law to prevail,” he said.
He said beforehand, San Mateo “was warned that as a holder of franchise of certificate of public convenience (CPC), it is criminal and it is illegal for them to participate in any tigil-pasada (transport strike).”
Roque was referring to the transport strike held by the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide led by San Mateo in February, for which he was charged.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, which acts as the complainant, said the transport strike, which left thousands stranded, was a violation of the Public Service Act.
