Students in Manila protest against rise in fuel prices

Manila: Militant students prostrated on the middle of the road and blocked traffic in Metro Manila yesterday in protest against the spiralling cost of fuel. While lying flat on the ground, they also jeered at drivers who did not support them.

Calling their method of protest "planking", Terry Ridon, chairman of the League of Filipino Students (LFS), said, "It was very effective."

Reports said that LFS boosted the transport strike that was weakened partly because it was held only by one group, the militant Piston, in Metro Manila.

"We will conduct more planking activities in the future. We will do this to protest the national government's proposed budget cuts in state colleges and universities," Ridon said.

The LFS also criticised Transport Secretary Mar Roxas for warning students on the eve of the transport strike, and telling them, "Those who don't belong to the transport sector, should no longer participate in the transport strike. Let's not make it big."

"Crocodiles," striking members of Piston hissed at fellow drivers who did not join the transport strike.

Piston, an association of drivers, has been demanding for the regulation of oil firms, amendment of the Oil Deregulation Law, and the lifting of the expanded sales tax on petroleum products.