photo: CIDG
Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) seized more than P62 million worth of petroleum products allegedly being use for retail during a raid in Batangas City.
CIDG director Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico II said such a modus is illegal and this was the reason why seven people were arrested during the operation in Barangay Wawa.
He said the operation resulted in the confiscation of a tugboat containing a little over 32,000 liters of petroleum products.
“It is illegal to sell or distribute petroleum products for profit without the necessary license or authority from the proper authorities,” said Morico.
In the case of the seven people arrested, he said they are now facing a case of violation of Presidential Decree 1865 after they were caught while allegedly engaging in the selling and trading of diesel products.
They are residents of Batangas, Davao, Palawan, Navotas, Leyte, and Cebu.
Aside from legal issues, Morico said clandestine fuel operations—such as the "paihi" system (illegal siphoning) and unauthorized backyard storage—pose catastrophic fire and explosion hazards to residential communities.
“Fuel adulteration destroys vehicles and defrauds everyday Filipino consumers,” said Morico.