CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Police arrested eight suspects involved in the illegal trading and distribution of petroleum products, locally known as “paihi,” and seized some P22-million worth of fuel products in Barangay San Benito, Dinalupihan, Bataan in the early hours of July 16.
Joint elements of the Regional Special Operations Group of the Regional Intelligence Division 3, PNP Intelligence Group Task Force Anti-Smuggling, CIDG Bataan Provincial Field Unit, Provincial Intelligence Unit of Bataan Police Provincial Office, 1st Bataan Provincial Mobile Force Company, and the Dinalupihan Municipal Police Station conducted the anti-smuggling operations following intelligence information regarding the illegal sale and diversion of petroleum products.
Initial entrapment operations led to the arrest of two suspects caught in the act of selling petroleum products without the necessary license from the Department of Energy.
Subsequent inspection of the area resulted in the arrest of six more suspects with the discovery of fuel tanker trucks and unauthorized storage containers being used to unload and divert petroleum products intended for delivery to a different consignee and location.
Seized during the operation were over 104,000 liters of petroleum products, including over 68,000 liters of diesel, 20,000 liters of unleaded gasoline, 7,600 liters of premium gasoline, and 8,800 liters of ethanol, along with four fuel tanker trucks, an electric pump, and several delivery documents allegedly linked to the illegal trading operation.
Investigation revealed that the petroleum products being unloaded at the site were allegedly intended for delivery to a different consignee and destination, in violation of Batas Pambansa Blg. 33, as amended by Presidential Decree No. 1865, which prohibits the unauthorized sale, distribution, and diversion of petroleum products.
Commending the operating units, Police Regional Office 3 director BGen. Jess B. Mendez said: “This successful operation reflects PRO3’s unwavering commitment to combating illicit trade activities that undermine legitimate businesses and deprive the government of much-needed revenues.”
“In line with the PNP Focused Agenda of our chief PNP Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., we will continue to intensify intelligence-driven operations and strengthen inter-agency collaboration to protect the economy and ensure that violators are held accountable,” he added. Punto News Team/PRO-3
