A region-wide transport strike got underway

A region-wide transport strike got underway at midnight local time on 24 July 2008 in Southern Tagalog, including Calabarzon, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Southern Luzon and Quezon, paralyzing more than 90 percent of transportation services before noon local time; in Laguna approximately 70 percent of services were affected. Participants set up roadblocks beginning at approximately 0400 local time. The organizers, the Southern Tagalog Transport Sector Organization (STARTER) and Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON), also known as the United Organizations of Drivers and Operators Nationwide, stated that they are striking against the constant increase in oil prices and are demanding the removal of the 12 percent value added tax (VAT) on the Oil Deregulation Law. Protesters also demanded the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. In an attempt to help stranded passengers, officials used local government trucks and patrol cars to alleviate the transportation shortage. There were also reports that angry protesters threw stones at the government buses and jeeps for not joining the strike.