Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 8) — Four of the six jeepney drivers arrested due to “resistance and disobedience to authority” were released on Monday after paying a P3,000-bail.
The members of the jeepney driver organization PISTON were released at around 3 p.m. based on a Facebook live video posted by Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice.
All the six drivers paid bail as recommended by the Office of the City Prosecutor, but two were left detained due to additional steps needed to clear them. They are expected to be freed tomorrow.
PISTON said it is currently completing the clearance of the two drivers left behind, namely Wilson Ramilla and the 72-year-old Elmer Cordero.
“Anim na araw po kaming ikinulong at pinaikot-ikot nang walang malinaw na kaso,” Cordero said. “Wala po kaming kasalanan!”
[Translation: We were detained for six days without a clear case. We did not do anything wrong!]
As for Ramilla, he said there is nothing wrong with asking for assistance and to go back to the road to earn a living.
The drivers also thanked those who extended help to them and their families.
“Tuloy ang laban para sa kabuhayan, kalusugan at karapatan! Makikita niyo ang PISTON 6 sa mga susunod na pagkilos para sa kapakanan ng mga drayber at ng mamamayan,” PISTON Deputy Secretary General Ruben Baylon said.
[Translation: The fight for livelihood, health, and rights will go on! You will see the PISTON 6 on our next actions for our drivers and the people.]
The ‘PISTON 6’ were arrested on June 2 and charged with “simple resistance and disobedience to person in authority” after staging a protest to call for the resumption of jeepney operations in Metro Manila under general community quarantine.
Media Release:
4 na PISTON laya, 2 mananatiling nakapiit, Tuloy ang laban
Apat sa PISTON 6 ang nakalaya ngayong araw. Dalawa ang mananatiling nakapiit dahil may kapangalan silang may kaso. Sila si Elmer Cordero at Wilson Ramilla. #FreeElmerCordero#FreeWilsonRamilla pic.twitter.com/XOXgjBCCYD
— PISTON (@pistonph) June 8, 2020
