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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Cops seize over P16 M petroleum products in anti-fuel pilferage raid in Lucena City

Cops seize over P16 M petroleum products in anti-fuel pilferage raid in Lucena City

Published Jul 28, 2026 10:56 am
Police seized around P16.3 million worth of petroleum products and other equipment following the arrest of 13 people during an anti-fuel pilferage operation in Lucena City on Monday, July 27.
Following the operation, Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr., chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said he already tasked police commanders to step up the intelligence-gathering for similar modus of oil pilferage, illegal fuel transfers, and unauthorized LPG refilling activities.
“This successful operation demonstrates the PNP's firm commitment to dismantling illegal fuel operations that undermine our economy, endanger public safety, and deprive the government of legitimate revenues,” said Nartatez.
“There must be no safe place for those engaged in illegal fuel and LPG operations. The PNP will intensify intelligence-driven operations, strengthen coordination with partner agencies, and ensure that violators are arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” he added.
The operation was conducted by the Regional Special Operations Unit of the Police Regional Office 4A, together with the Regional Intelligence Division 4A, the Quezon Police Provincial Office Intelligence Unit, and the Lucena City Police Station.
Police caught the suspects allegedly transferring petroleum products from tanker trucks into intermediate bulk containers and moving LPG from a tanker into cylinders inside a compound in Barangay Silangang Mayao, Lucena City on Monday, July 27.
Police estimated the value of the seized petroleum products, LPG, vehicles, and equipment at P16,289,750.
Recovered during the operation were three tanker trucks, two Isuzu ELF trucks, a Mitsubishi Fuso truck carrying 10,000 liters of LPG, thousands of liters of diesel, 285 LPG cylinders of assorted brands, chemical and hydraulic hoses, diesel water pumps, and other equipment allegedly used in the illegal operation.
Police Brig. Gen. Dominic Baccay, director of the Police Regional Office 4A, said the operation was a product of weeklong surveillance and case build-up that stemmed from a tip-off.
He said the fuel came from Sariaya town in Quezon, “They take the petroleum product from a depot in Sariaya and their clients to small gasoline stations in various areas nearby.”
Baccay said the modus of the arrested suspects are locally referred to as paihi for gasoline and diesel and pasingaw for liquified petroleum gas. 
Baccay said all the suspects will face charges for alleged violations of Presidential Decree No. 1865, or the Oil Pilferage Law, and Republic Act No. 11592, or the LPG Industry Regulation Act.

Related Tags

PNP fuel pilferage
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