MANILA, Philippines — A transport group leading a strike in Metro Manila on Thursday accused police officers of allegedly harassing its members, as protests against high fuel taxes disrupted traffic in several areas. In an interview, Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston) President Mody Floranda condemned the Philippine National Police (PNP) for allegedly dispersing its members from peaceful assembly points. Floranda specifically cited an incident in Sucat, Parañaque City, where he claimed police disrupted a gathering of striking drivers. “The police should only be observers and not engage in harassment,” Floranda said in Filipino, stressing that law enforcers are meant to ensure order, not interfere with peaceful protests. Floranda reported that the group had been staging around 20 “mass actions” across the metropolis since 4 a.m. He expressed frustration over the alleged police intervention, pointing out that the protest, which calls for the removal of excise taxes on petroleum products, is an issue that also affects ordinary police personnel. “This is a burden that even police officers feel,” he added. As of posting time, the PNP has not issued a response to the allegations of harassment. The transport strike is part of Piston’s ongoing campaign against rising fuel costs, which the group argues continue to cripple the public transportation sector.