Duterte warns ‘rebellious’ PUV drivers, operators of arrest

President Rodrigo Duterte warned transport groups to fulfill the given ultimatum under the government’s Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) modernization program or risk facing arrest.

The President said that operators should shift their old units to a new one by the end of the year. PUJ drivers and operators who will continue to use jeepneys 15 years and older will be arrested, the president said.

“I will arrest you. Believe me,” Duterte said on Tuesday during the Federalism Summit in Pili, Camarines Sur.

“Kaya [that’s why] I’ll give you until the end of the month or until the end of the year. Sumunod kayo because January 1 pag may makita ako diyan mga jeep ninyo na walang rehistro, hindi narehistro, luma, guguyurin ko yan sa harap ninyo [Abide because by January 1, if I see unregistered jeepneys, I will tow it in front of you],” he added.

Duterte said that there is a health reason for the modernization, citing the statistics of the United Nations where it was posited that lung cancer cases in the country would triple by 2025.

He stressed that public vehicles, like factories, have been producing a large amount of fumes and carbon dioxide.

Duterte also accused several groups such as Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON) and militant groups Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and Karapatan of committing rebellion. He added that they are the legal fonts of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

“It’s a one big conspiracy. But they are at the same time, all of them are committing right now, rebellion,” he said.

Meanwhile, several drivers and operators said that the program is “anti-poor” given that replacement of PUVs will cost them P1 million per unit that resulted in a two-day nationwide strike.

Transport groups such as the PISTON and Stop and Go Coalition united to oppose the program.

The enactment of the program will force PUV drivers and operators to replace their units to Euro 4 engines or electrically-powered engines with solar panels for roofs.

Duterte’s PUV modernization program is mandated by the Department of Transportation (DOTr). The program intends to achieve “safe and comfortable transport, predictable travel time, disciplined and competent drivers, and fair regulations.”