Thousands of Filipino Drivers Strike Over War-Driven Fuel Hikes

Thousands of drivers across the Philippines have walked off the job, refusing to operate informal public transport vehicles as fuel costs climb. The protest, a two-day strike organized by Piston, a union representing transport workers, kicked off on Tuesday in Manila. At least 70,000 drivers and operators joined the walkout. They want prices slashed back down to 55 pesos, or about $0.88 per litre, where they stood before the United States and Israel launched their war against Iran last February.

Organizers blame the conflict directly for the surge in costs. Piston stated on social media that fuel prices will keep climbing as long as the US persists in waging war. The group accused President Ferdinand Marcos Jr's administration and Washington of leaving drivers to suffer through this oil crisis. Another union, Manibela, staged a strike on Monday but suspended it Tuesday to talk with the Land Transportation Office. They said their members could no longer shoulder the burden of continuous price hikes.

The government reacted by deploying police officers and buses for stranded commuters. National police spokesman Allen Rae Co reported that officials monitored 11 rallies involving 275 people in Manila without causing significant disruption in the capital region. He noted that 8,643 police personnel were on duty to maintain peace and order. The Department of Transportation announced it would provide free rides for passengers on Tuesday. In the southeastern Bicol region, authorities sent buses to help affected commuters, according to the state-run Philippine News Agency.

The Philippines recently increased fuel prices on August 25. Officials attributed this move to geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East that disrupted shipping lanes like the Strait of Hormuz and cut global oil supplies. Back in March, the country declared a national energy emergency over these price increases, becoming the first nation in the world to do so. The Philippines relies heavily on imported oil, a fact that pushes up consumer inflation and logistics costs while eating into the take-home pay of drivers and low-income households.

Critics argue the official explanation does not cover the full picture. Al Jazeera's Jamila Alindogan reported from Manila that city drivers have seen their daily wages drop from $10 at the start of the year to less than $5 now. "Many here say the inflation is actually bleeding communities," she said. She added that goods prices are steadily increasing, creating a crisis felt by millions of Filipinos nationwide. While many acknowledge the war in Iran and events in the Middle East triggered this situation, locals insist the government can no longer use that as an excuse for its inability to respond to the major economic needs of its people. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board defended the fare increase, calling it a reasonable adjustment because rising fuel prices impact not only operators but also the workers who rely on stable public utility vehicles for their livelihood.