CEBU CITY – Four persons were arrested for illegally selling diesel fuel in Barangay Camanucan, Compostela, Cebu last Wednesday, June 1.
Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-Mandaue City District Office raided a compound in the area where eight barrels of diesel fuel worth P130,000 were seized.
Arrested during the raid at past 3 p.m. was the owner of the compound Dexter Pasaol and his three helpers, said Special Investigator 4 Bienvenido Panican, Executive Officer of NBI-Mandaue.
Panican said the suspects were arrested for violating Presidential Decree (PD) No. 1865 which regulates the selling of petroleum products.
“They’ve just disposed some of their stocks last week that’s why we only chanced upon eight barrels during the operation,” said Panican.
Panican said the unauthorized selling of petroleum products in the area has been ongoing for the past three years. “The illegal activity was reported to us by a concerned citizen,” said Panican.
He said the compound is located about 30 meters from the national highway.
According to a report, a fuel tanker usually drops by the compound to deliver fuel products. “The company of this fuel product certainly doesn’t know that their products are being sold by their workers to these people,” said Panican.
During the test buy, diesel was sold at the compound for P65 per liter, way lower than the regular price of P79 to P80 per liter, Panican said.
Panican said similar activities are happening in other areas in Cebu. “That’s why we are intensifying our operation.”
Panican advised the public not to patronize fuel products being sold by unauthorized outlets. “Do not buy from this ‘tingi-tingi’ (small portions) store because they are not authorized by the Department of Energy. These are contaminated or adulterated products that may cause damage to your car and this also poses serious danger to the community,” said Panican.