A 78-year-old driver and member of the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON), Elmer Cordero, or “Tatay Elmer” was hospitalized after suffering a heart attack while participating in the group’s nationwide transport strike in Monumento, Caloocan City, on Tuesday morning.

In a social media post on Sept. 29, PISTON said Tatay Elmer was brought to the Caloocan City Medical Center after experiencing chest tightness at the group’s strike center.

The group also said Tatay Elmer lost consciousness and remained unconscious while confined at the hospital.

“Sa unang araw ng welga, inatake si Tatay Elmer habang nasa strike center sa Monumento. Agad [siyang] isinugod sa Caloocan City Medical Center at hanggang ngayon ay walang malay,” said PISTON.

Tatay Elmer has been a driver for around five decades.

He was also among six PISTON members arrested in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic while participating in a protest calling for the resumption of public transportation.

Despite his age and frail physical condition, PISTON said Tatay Elmer continued to take an active role in organizing and mobilizing fellow drivers amid rising fuel prices.

“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,” the group said.

PISTON said Tatay Elmer had been actively involved in educating, organizing and mobilizing fellow drivers since his arrest in 2020.

“Kailangan pa natin si Tatay Elmer sa mahabang pakikibaka. Pagtulungan natin na bumuti ang kanyang kalagayan,” the group said.

PISTON also said it is closely monitoring his condition and providing assistance to him and his family.

The group appealed to those who wish to extend financial or other forms of assistance to Tatay Elmer to coordinate with PISTON.