• THERESA MAE DULMAN / GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR), has ordered all police units across the region to tighten security and monitoring of fuel stations and vital installations following a directive from the national police to address global oil market volatility.
Brigadier General Arnold Thomas Ibay tasked provincial and city police offices to work closely with the Department of Energy and the Department of Trade and Industry to ensure that petroleum products are distributed according to government regulations and to prevent any illegal price manipulation.
Ibay directed police commanders to conduct regular inspections of gas stations and fuel depots to curb hoarding, illegal selling, and profiteering while strictly enforcing the direct-to-tank policy that bans the dispensing of fuel into handheld containers like drums or bottles.
The DOE issued a warning to oil companies and retailers against premature increases in fuel prices before it is set to shoot up on March 10.
In his directive, Ibay said that these proactive measures are necessary to shield the public from the ripple effects caused by ongoing tensions in the Middle East which may impact domestic fuel security.
Beyond monitoring supplies, the PRO-NIR chief instructed the deployment of additional personnel to secure fuel storage facilities and distribution hubs to deter opportunistic crimes and ensure the continuous delivery of essential services throughout the region.
Ibay also placed Civil Disturbance Management units on standby to handle potential transport-related protests or public demonstrations and ordered intensified checkpoint operations to prevent the smuggling of petroleum products, particularly in coastal areas.
The regional director assured the residents of the Negros Island Region that the police remain vigilant and prepared to maintain public order and safety as the situation evolves.*
