Jeepney driver Tatay Elmer was hospitalized on the first day of the two-day nationwide transport strike led by Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston), the group said in a social media post on Sept. 29.
Tatay Elmer is currently confined at the Caloocan City Medical Center and remains unconscious, according to Piston.
Despite being 78 years old and in frail health, Tatay Elmer continued to lead protests against rising oil prices, the group said.
‘Sa kabila ng kanyang edad at mahinang pangangatawan, pinili ni Tatay Elmer na pamunuan ang laban ng mga tsuper at komyuter laban sa patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng langis,’ Piston said.
(Despite his age and frail health, Tatay Elmer chose to lead the fight of drivers and commuters against the continued increase in oil prices.)
Tatay Elmer was among the six Piston members, known as Piston 6, detained in 2021 after staging a protest at the Edsa Monument against the loss of their livelihoods.
Piston said Tatay Elmer has continued to participate in and organize protests involving jeepney drivers since then.
‘Mula 2021 nang siya ay maaresto bilang Piston 6, halos araw-araw ay nangunguna si Tatay Elmer sa pagmumulat, pag-oorganisa at pagpapakilos sa kapwa tsuper,’ the group said.
(Since his arrest in 2021 as one of the Piston 6, Tatay Elmer has been at the forefront almost daily of raising awareness, organizing, and mobilizing his fellow drivers.)
Piston is holding the two-day nationwide strike to protest rising fuel prices and call for measures to ease their impact on jeepney drivers and commuters.
The group will end their strike with a march to Mendiola today, Sept. 30.