MANILA - Over 8,500 passengers were left stranded in Philippines' capital after bus operators staged a protest following Metropolitan Manila Development Authority's decision to implement a number-coding scheme for public utility buses on Monday.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Army have already dispatched trucks and buses in major thoroughfares of Metro Manila to help the stranded commuters.

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The PNP said it has deployed 115 "Libreng Sakay" (Free Ride) trucks and buses to service stranded commuters and has warned that those who will use force to convince other drivers to join the strike will be arrested.

The MMDA has pushed through with its plan to impose a number- coding scheme for public utility buses as a move to alleviate the traffic in Philippines' capital despite protests of bus operators. Under the program, buses that have license plates ending in 1 and 2 are banned on EDSA on Mondays; 3 and 4 on Tuesdays; 5 and 6 on Wednesdays; 7 and 8  on Thursdays, and, 9 and 0 on Fridays.

Local media ABS-CBN News reported that more than 3,000 buses or about 70 percent of all buses plying Metro Manila reportedly took part in the strike.

MMDA is already studying the filing of charges against the bus operators behind the strike, for possible economic sabotage, another local media GMA News reported.