The Philippine Star: Police say Shell was real target

By Evelyn Macairan

10/06/2004 

The main office of Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. could have been the original target of last Monday’s grenade attack in Makati City, police said yesterday.

Chief Superintendent Prospero Noble Jr., Southern Police District (SPD) director, said the Shell headquarters on Valero corner Villar street in Salcedo Village, Makati City was not attacked because of the heavy security outside its premises.

"Security personnel of the Shell office informed us that prior to the 3:40 a.m. attack at the Gercon Plaza along Makati Avenue, they saw a vehicle pass by the Shell building twice," said. He added the guards jotted down the plate number and the SPD is currently tracking down the owner of the said vehicle.

He said the vehicle, with three men inside, passed by the Shell building at 1 a.m. and returned at 3 a.m. Forty minutes later a rifle grenade and bullets from an M-16 rifle were fired at the fifth to seventh floors of the Gercon Plaza.

"The guards said that when they passed by the second time, two men exited the vehicle and exchanged seats," Noble said.

Security at Shell was tightened after unidentified suspects fired a rifle grenade at the building last April 18.

A police mobile has been stationed around the offices of the three main oil companies. "The suspects could have thought twice about hitting Shell so they decided to look for another target."

Oil firm Petron Corp. held offices at the Gercon Plaza six years ago.