Marxists attack RP's Shell office

Marxists attack RP's Shell office

MANILA (Reuters): Marxist guerrillas fired a grenade and shot at the main office of one of the Philippines' largest oil firms on Thursday, and warned of more attacks unless oil firms stop raising fuel prices.

The dawn blast -- described by rebels as their "Christmas gift" to multinational companies -- shattered windows and injured a guard at the Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. office in Manila's Makati financial district.

A group called the Revolutionary Proletarian Army of the Alex Boncayao Brigade (ABB) claimed responsibility for the attack.

Fuel prices have risen by between 25 percent and 30 percent this year, sparking several small street protests over recent months.

Police said the attackers, who escaped, fired at the Shell offices from a commandeered van with a rifle grenade and automatic weapons. Eight men and two women took part in the attack, investigators said.