Cops tighten security on oil firms headquarters in southern Metro Manila

From gmanetwork.com:

 

Police in southern Metro Manila on Thursday tightened security around the offices of major oil firms, in anticipation of protests by militant groups against high prices of fuel.

Southern Police District deputy head Senior Superintendent Federico Castro ordered at least 200 police personnel to guard the offices of Shell, Chevron and Petron, radio dzBB’s Sam Nielsen reported.

Castro said that while organizers claimed they would picket only the office of Petron, he does not want to take chances of lightning rallies at other oil firms’ headquarters.

He said he has also ordered his personnel to keep watch over routes in southern Metro Manila that may be affected by Thursday’s protest.

These include jeep routes in Alabang, Las Piñas, Parañaque and Muntinlupa Cities, he said.

Militant groups had planned a protest caravan against high fuel prices for Thursday. The caravan was to start at the Quezon City Memorial Circle and proceed to Makati City.

Other activities include:

– A five-minute road blockade by urban poor group Kadamay at EDSA North Triangle

– A “kuliglig” (improvised tricycle) parade in Manila

– A lantern-flying parade in Caloocan City at 4:30 p.m.

– A noise barrage at the Pandacan oil depot and markets in Metro Manila including Trabajo and Divisoria. Noise barrages are also scheduled at Marikina Bridge and Caloocan City; and in San Juan City.

In Quezon City, meanwhile, city administrator Victor Endriga said they have readied at least 147 emergency response mini-vans to ferry commuters who may be stranded.

But Endriga stressed city employees will have to report for work.

“Kailangan kami mag-abala, magmo-monitor kami at tutulong sa ating mga kababayan,” he said in an interview on dzBB radio. — LBG, GMA News