The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) is heightening its alert on the possible increase in crimes against property as a result of rising fuel prices.

“We are crafting action plans in case of domino effect. Looting, theft and robbery cases might increase. The Philippine National Police is preparing for that,” BCPO Director Colonel Eugene Rebadomia said in a press conference yesterday.

Rebadomia said the BCPO underwent an orientation with the Department of Energy (DOE) and Department of Trade and Industry to outline ways they can assist the concerned agencies in the regulation of fuel prices.

In this highly urbanized city, Mayor Greg Gasataya earlier asked the BCPO to provide assistance to the city government in ensuring that fuel prices remain within the allowable range.

The mayor also urged retailers not to take advantage of consumers, but to strictly comply with DOE-prescribed oil price regulations as tensions in the Middle East continue to affect global fuel costs.

During the press conference, Rebadomia shared that BCPO personnel called the attention of a certain gasoline station, which displayed the price of diesel at P108.50 per liter even before the scheduled adjustment on Tuesday, March 10.

“When policemen came, they changed the price to P75. We thank the people of Bacolod for their concern by posting these developments on social media. This was monitored during cyber patrolling and was submitted to us,” he added. (PNA)