Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Police General Guillermo Lorenzo T Eleazar tasked police units and offices to investigate and be vigilant against the possible hoarding of oxygen tanks and other medical supplies amid the continuing threat of COVID-19.
PGen Eleazar issued the order after Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama called on the police and the Department of Trade and Industry to look into the supposed hoarding of oxygen tanks.
“Makikipagugnayan at tulungan ang PNP sa DTI para silipin ang sinasabing hoarding ng oxygen tanks, lalo na sa Cebu City,” PGen Eleazar said.
“I have directed the Cebu City Police and the Regional Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to closely coordinate with the DTI office in the area and look into this report of hoarding,” he added.
PGen Eleazar said that PNP would also check if there are incidents of hoarding of oxygen tanks and other medical supplies in the National Capital Region and other parts of the country.
“Pati dito sa Metro Manila ay aalamin din natin kung may mga ganitong insidente. Ngayon natin mas kailangan ng sapat na suplay ngoxygen tanks dahil sa tumataas na bilang ng COVID-19 cases dahil na rin sa mas nakahahawang Delta variant,” PGen Eleazar said.