Piston on Tuesday compelled Land Transportation Office (LTO) Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao to a dialogue during a protest outside the agency’s headquarters, following the impounding of 19 public utility vehicles (PUVs) flagged as “colorum” while en route to anti-corruption rallies in Luneta and EDSA on Nov. 30.
According to Piston, the discussion ended with an LTO commitment to release all 19 vehicles on Wednesday, Dec. 10, without penalties.
The group criticized the charges as an attempt to intimidate drivers and operators who participated in the anti-corruption protests, calling the accusations “a flimsy excuse” intended to undermine the movement.
Piston also accused the Marcos Jr. administration of using state agencies to suppress growing public outrage over what it described as systemic government corruption.
The transport group will join the International Human Rights Day mobilization at Liwasang Bonifacio on Wednesday to oppose ongoing state violence and attacks on civil liberties.