PRF agent tells truck drivers that the only order is to ‘be here with you’; watch video

PRF (Federal Highway Police) agents who work on federal highways blocked by truck drivers in protest of the election results say in a video that the institution’s order is just to remain in place.

Truck drivers were an important base for Bolsonaro in 2018, but the support of the category has ebbed in recent years, mainly with the increase in fuel prices. Recently, the president announced the anticipation of the aid paid to self-employed professionals, which was seen as an attempt to boost the campaign for reelection among the group.

The PRF reported that there are 138 occurrences on federal roads in 16 states: Pará, Rio de Janeiro, Goiás, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato Grosso, Rondônia, Paraná, Alagoas, Amazonas, Acre, Rio Grande do Norte, Roraima, Maranhão, São Paulo and Santa Catarina.

THE Sheet had access to videos in which federal police say they will not do anything about the blockades. In one of the images recorded in Palhoça (SC), a police officer says that the order is just to be there.

“The only thing I have to say right now is the only order we have is to be here with you, that’s all,” he said in the image.

In another video posted on social media, another police officer says that, if there is a court order, he will ask protesters for “guidance” on how to resolve the situation again peacefully.

“In no time, I have already made the commitment and I reiterate to all of you, we will arrive to fight or to face any of you, who are our bosses, as civil servants.”

After being applauded, he says that the agents will stay “back there in the car”, and that the protesters don’t need to worry about photos taken by the police, because they are just to inform the leaders that the demonstrations are peaceful.

The PRF said in a statement that it has always worked with the constitutional commitment to ensure efficient mobility, the preservation of public order, road safety and the fight against organized crime on Brazilian federal highways.

The institution also said that it is in all blockade locations with mobilized personnel and remains working for the free flow of federal highways.

“Since yesterday, when the first interdictions appeared, the PRF has taken all measures to return to normal flow, directing teams to the locations and initiating a negotiation process for the release of highways, prioritizing dialogue, to ensure, in addition to free and the right of citizens to demonstrate, as happened in other protests,” he said in a statement.

In another video, a police officer in Rio do Sul (SC) said he would be there to monitor the demonstration, but would not issue any fines.

“Another commitment that I make with you here, no vehicle that is here at the demonstration will be the subject of any notification. I will not issue any fines”, said the policeman, being applauded afterwards.

In Santa Catarina, senator Jorginho Mello (PL) handily beat federal deputy Décio Lima (PT), the first PT to reach the second round of government, and maintained Bolsonarism in the state.

Episodes involving PRF occur one day after institution not complying with a decision of the president of the TSE (Superior Electoral Court), Alexandre de Moraes, and carrying out approaches in public transport.

On Saturday night (29), Minister Alexandre de Moraes banned any operation by the PRF against vehicles used in public transport for voters.

The director general of the corporation, Silvinei Vasques, was at the TSE (Superior Electoral Court) building and, in a meeting with the president of the court, Alexandre de Moraes, promised to stop all approaches on buses and obey the minister’s decision.

as showed the Sheet, Vasques posted an image on social media in which he asked for a vote for President Bolsonaro. He posted a photo of the Brazilian flag with the phrases “vote 22. Bolsonaro president”.

President Jair Bolsonaro remains silent after his defeat at the polls. The TSE declared Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) elected, with 50.9% of the vote, against 49.1% for Bolsonaro, who became the first president not to win reelection.

Interlocutors of the Chief Executive suggested a text to the president to recognize the victory of the adversary. According to reports, the document would not challenge the result, but would cite “injustices” that the president suffered in his government and in the campaign.

The expectation of the surroundings of the Chief Executive is that he will speak between this Monday (31) and Tuesday (1). For allies, the longer it takes, the more negative it will be for Bolsonaro.

The Chief Executive dispatched from the Planalto Palace this morning, but left for the Alvorada Palace shortly before 4 pm. According to allies, he will work on the text of his defeat speech.