Manila, April 23 -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) has ordered its units to expedite the passage of trucks carrying food and agricultural products at checkpoints, as global tensions linked to the Middle East conflict continue to affect supply routes and fuel prices.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said commanders nationwide were instructed to adjust security procedures to avoid unnecessary delays that could raise transport costs and risk spoilage of perishable items.

"Our chiefs of police and unit commanders were already instructed to conduct security adjustments in dealing with trucks carrying food or agricultural products in checkpoints without sacrificing our law enforcement mandate," Nartatez said in a statement Thur...