News In Brief

Bus drivers threaten strike in Philippines over price hikes

Bus drivers in the Philippines threatened to stage a general strike today to protest a government-ordered increase in prices of oil products. The government warned of possible violence during the strike and placed the police on ''red alert.''

The oil price hike is part of a financial deal with the International Monetary Fund to help the country out of a worsening debt problem.

Several opposition groups also announced plans to organize a series of Manila-wide general strikes in hopes of toppling the Marcos government.