An unidentified group has launched grenade attacks on the offices of two oil companies in Manila’s financial district.The attacks caused panic and some damage, but there were no injuries. The twin attacks follow a similar incident in April. Manila’s police chief Avelino Razon has pointed the finger at the country’s Communist Party. The attacks came at dawn – the first grenade shattering the facade of the Petron Corporation office in Makati, and minutes later, a second grenade fired at the Caltex Headquarters two blocks away. The grenades did not detonate, and there were no casualities. Police believe the attackers were not out to cause serious harm, but to protest rising petrol pump prices. Wilfredo Garcia, Southern Police District Chief Superintendent, said: “We cannot yet conclusively pinpoint this to any terrorist group. However, we are still investigating all angles and one thing for sure is that the perpetrators of this incident are those that is against price increase.” The protest theory seems obvious. In April, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp was also fired upon.With the attacks on Petron and Caltex, all the so-called Big Three oil companies have been targets of the same modus operandi. The Philippines imports nearly all its oil – so spiralling world crude prices have pushed inflation to five-year highs. Police plan to will beef up security in the business district – with checkpoints and stepped up troop patrols.Full Story
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