CANDELARIA, Quezon – Twelve individuals were arrested and large quantities of stolen gasoline were seized during the implementation of a search warrant in a warehouse in Barangay Santa Catalina Sur here on Jan.27.
Police said the suspects were apprehended for alleged involvement in “paihi” or fuel pilferage.
Recovered from them were several intermediate bulk containers containing suspected gasoline and methanol used for storage, four tanker trucks, and a tanker used for transporting fuel and chemical substances. These have a total estimated value of P5.4 million.
They are under proper custody and subjected to inventory and documentation.
Police said the suspects will be charged for violating Presidential Decree No. 1865 in relation to Republic Act No. 8479 (An Act Deregulating the Downstream Oil Industry and for Other Purposes).