150 cops secure strike-hit MRT

At least 150 policemen were deployed yesterday to ensure the smooth operation of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) after security guards detailed at its 13 stations staged a sit-down strike.

Metro police chief Director Ricardo de Leon said two companies from the Regional Special Action Unit (RSAU) of the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) were deployed at MRT stations that runs from the North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay City starting at 5 a.m. yesterday.

"So far, no untoward incident has transpired," De Leon said when reached for comment at 4 p.m. yesterday. "The MRT operations were not affected by the ongoing strike by the security guards."

Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza said the MRT has some 200 security guards from the Vanguard Security Agency employed to secure its stations.

The guards detailed in rotation at the stations decided to stage a strike yesterday to press their agency to pay them their delayed salaries and other benefits.

The guards claimed the security agency has closed down for still unknown reason.

Mendoza tried to contact the management of the security agency, but failed. He ordered the termination of the agency’s contract effective immediately.

He said a bidding for the new MRT security guard contract would be announced in the coming days.

MRTA general manager Roberto Lastimoso said they will hire temporary guards until a new bidding date is set by Mendoza.

To prevent criminals from taking advantage of the situation, Lastimoso, a former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), coordinated with De Leon for the deployment of police personnel at the MRT’s 13 stations.

According to De Leon, he personally inspected the deployment of his troops at the MRT stations and he was satisfied with the performance of RSAU operatives under Superintendent Bong Leuterio.

"We are fully equipped to thwart any attempts by criminal elements to take advantage of the strike," he said.

The NCRPO will secure the MRT stations in the next few days until security guards hired by the winning bidder reports for work.

Mendoza said he will work out an agreement with the winning bidder for the absorption of the displaced security guards.