Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar tasked police units to probe and be vigilant against the possible hoarding of oxygen tanks and other medical supplies amid the continuing threat of COVID-19.

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 amid the rising COVID-19 infections in Cebu.

“Makikipagugnayan at tulungan ang PNP sa DTI para silipin ang sinasabing hoarding ng oxygen tanks, lalo na sa Cebu City,” 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.

The PNP chief said that they 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 ng oxygen tanks dahil sa tumataas na bilang ng COVID-19 cases dahil na rin sa mas nakahahawang Delta variant,” he said.

The National Capital Region would revert to enhanced community quarantine classification starting August 6 to 20 amid the threat of the more contagious Delta variant.

Eleazar also urged the public to avoid hoarding oxygen tanks and other medical supplies.

“Hindi biro ang sitwasyon natin ngayon. Mga buhay ang nakasalalay sa sapat na suplay ng oxygen tanks. Mas kailangan natin ngayon ang pagkakaisa para pagtulungang mapigilan ang pagdami pa ng kaso ng COVID-19 sa bansa,” Eleazar said.