By ALDWIN QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

QUEZON CITY — Kilusang Mayo Uno (May 1st Movement or KMU) national Chairperson Elmer “Bong” Labog describes the big three oil companies: Shell, Petron and Caltex as heartless for raising the price of petroleum products for profit’s sake amid public outrage and mourning victims of the Maguindanao massacre.

Next week, the liquified petroleum gas (LPG) price will be higher by P3.50 a kilogram starting next week. KMU said these corporate move capitalizes on the focus of media and the people on the gruesome massacre.

Labog said that it can be remembered that oil companies raised gas prices at a time when the Filipino people are still recovering from the wrath of typhoons “Ondoy” and “Pepeng”. He added that the oil companies also managed to shoot-up their prices right after the lifting of Executive Order 839 which temporarily halted oil price hikes.

Labog also said the jubilation of the Filipino masses over the victory of boxing champ Manny Pacquiao was cut-short because of recent oil price hikes.

“These greedy oil companies are sliding a knife into our necks through the barrage of price hikes, while we grieve for the victims of politically motivated killings in Maguindanao,” said Labog.

Labog even said that the oil firms are apparently no different from the suspected mastermind behind the Maguindanao massacre because of their mafia-style of pushing for corporate profits.

But Labog warned the oil companies that the social volcano against injustice will not spare them as they are bent on pursuing profits at the peoples’ expense. According to Labog, the round of pump price hikes brought the average price of diesel to P31 per liter while the gasoline to P40 per liter. Labog added that the pending LPG price increase will make an 11-kg. cylinder tank of LPG from P580 to P620.

Labog further said that Filipinos are bound to grieve rather than celebrate the nearing holiday season because of the steady price increase of petroleum products and also the continous price increases in basic commodities.

On the other hand, KMU also dared Malacanang officials to reveal their meeting with the Ampatuans, held at the Palace on the day when the massacre happened. According to KMU, Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Gabriel Claudio met with Autonumous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan and Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan on November 23, Monday.

“What the hell were the Ampatuans doing and talking about in Malacañang while their men rained bullets and raped the journalists, civilians, and their political enemies in Maguindanao? Arroyo and the Ampatuans have been silent and evasive about that meeting. And this only raises more suspicion that it was a meeting of the bosses to ensure the success of their murder plan at their safe house that is Malacañang,” slammed Labog.

Labog said that they seem to be undaunted because the day after the discovery of the massacre, Claudio met with the Ampatuans again. # nordis.net