PNP intensifies monitoring vs ‘gas-and-run’

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday said it has intensified its monitoring of so-called “gas-and-run” incidents amid high fuel prices due to the Middle East conflict.

“Our police force is intensifying police visibility and patrols, especially around 24-hour establishments. We are making our presence felt to deter would-be criminals,” PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement.

“To our business owners, we are your partners. Let us strengthen our coordination. Our response teams are on standby, and we are working to integrate technology like CCTV networks for faster tracking,” he added.

On Tuesday, operatives of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) arrested two suspects linked to a gas-and-run incident on Monday at a gasoline station in Barangay Payatas, Quezon City.

Also, a 27-year-old transport network vehicle service (TNVS) driver earlier surrendered to police after fleeing a gasoline station in Balintawak, Quezon City without paying last March 22.

“While we treat these as isolated cases for now, we are not letting our guard down. We are analyzing the patterns to ensure this doesn't evolve into a common modus operandi,” Nartatez said.

“Let us not allow this to become the norm. Every crime reported will be met with a swift investigation and arrest,” he added.

Citing estimates based on Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) trading and foreign exchange averages in the past four days, an oil industry source on Friday said the per liter prices of diesel could be reduced by P8.00 to P10.00 next week.

Its third straight week of rollback since the series of global oil price shocks due to the Middle East conflict rocked the local fuel market.

Gasoline prices, however, are seen to have no movement or a possible increase of P1.00 per liter. —VAL, GMA News