Cops secure Pandacan oil depot after latest price hike

Police on Wednesday beefed up security at the oil depot in Manila’s Pandacan district, in the wake of the latest round of fuel price hikes earlier this week. Manila Police District spokesman Chief Inspector Erwin Margarejo said the move stemmed from possible protest actions by militant and transport groups, radio dzBB’s Carlo Mateo reported. Anti-riot teams are in place to make sure protesters keep a safe distance from the oil depot facilities, Margarejo said. He also appealed to militants and transport groups protesting the latest oil price hike to police their ranks and not to resort to violence in their protest actions. In the meantime, Margarejo said police teams have been stationed at the entrance to the oil depot, and closed off the Sta. Mesa-Pandacan road link at night. Meanwhile, the dzBB report said the MPD is trying to cope with higher prices of fuel by managing its use for its patrol vehicles. Police have started focusing their patrols on strategic areas to make the most of their fuel rations, the report added. Earlier this week, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. and Eastern Petroleum Corp. increased prices of unleaded gasoline by P2 a liter, regular gasoline by P1.50 a liter, and of diesel and kerosene by 80 centavos a liter, starting Tuesday. Shell claimed this was due to a surge in the prices of fuel products in the global market last week. — LBG, GMA News