Shell Philippine Office Under Attack

Philippines Communist riots are suspected to open fire on Royal Dutch/Shell office in Manila yesterday.
It was the first significant rebel incident in the Philippines capital for several years.
Fortunately, there were no people killed or wounded in the shooting, only windows were shattered in the capital's financial district.
President Gloria Arroyo ordered authorities to step up security and set up checkpoints in strategic areas to prevent further incidents.
Shortly after the incident, heavily-armed policemen could be seen on the streets around the Shell building, setting up checkpoints for passing vehicles.
Three men armed with a grenade launcher, an assault rifle and a pistol fired at the third floor of the Pilipinas Shell building where the company president's office is located in the pre-dawn attack, a military report said.
The military blamed the Communist New People's Army (NPA) or leftist groups allied with the Communists for the attack which may have been intended to protest against recent oil price hikes.
In previous incidents, Communist rebels have thrown grenades at the offices of oil companies in the Philippines to oppose increases in oil prices.
Regional police official Senior Inspector Prospero Noble said the attack may have been intended for propaganda purposes. He said other vital installations were now being secured although he did not specify them.