Motorists may continue to suffer high prices of fuel as international market data initially showed a slim chance of rollback.

No less than Energy Secretary Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla warned consumers not to get their hopes up as external factors, such as lower global supply and geopolitical tensions, may still affect the fuel price movements by the end of the week.

In an interview on Wednesday, Lotilla said there was a notable decline in petroleum prices that could pull down prices in the coming week. If that happens, motorists will be slightly relieved from paying for hefty fuel.

Be alert

However, Lotilla was quick to add: "You know that it is volatile and we have to always be ready because we are already moving towards the winter months when normally  prices will increase."

"We have to manage our expectations that this will continuously go down because there are a lot of external factors involved," he said.

Oil companies announce price adjustments every Monday to be implemented on the following day's morning.