Manila, March 26 -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday ensured commuter safety and mobility during the two-day nationwide transport strike.

"We have deployed our personnel nationwide with a heavy focus on Metro Manila," PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement.

"Our mobility assets are also on standby in case there is a need to offer free rides to stranded commuters," he added.

The free rides aim to ease travel for commuters reliant on public transport.

A coalition of transport groups, urban poor organizations and progressive groups launched the two-day strike on Thursday to protest rising fuel prices.

Nartatez ordered personnel deployed at key transport hubs and strike hotspots, with mandatory body...