By Brian Campued
Ensuring that unscrupulous individuals taking advantage of the current oil supply challenges while the country is under an energy emergency are being held accountable, authorities arrested six individuals engaged in oil pilferage in Laguna on Wednesday morning.
In a press release, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said the suspects were nabbed during a police operation in a hotel and resort compound in Barangay San Antonio 1, San Pablo City at around 8:02 a.m.
Using alternative recording devices and a drone, officers from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 4A – Technical Support Company and 402nd Maneuver Company caught the individuals in the act of dispensing, short-selling, hoarding, and adulterating petroleum products.
Among the recovered evidence from the scene include an orange oil gas tanker containing approximately 500 liters of petroleum, 54 square tanks filled with petroleum, 21 empty 25-liter containers, seven steel drums, five electric pumps, around 20-feet pressure hose, and a steel funnel.
All vehicles and recovered items were properly marked and then turned over to authorities for disposition and further investigation, according to the PNP.
“This operation underscores that tampering with petroleum products will not be tolerated. Protecting the supply for our communities is a top priority,” PNP Chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.
“Sa gitna ng national energy emergency, walang sinuman ang dapat magbenta o mag-hoard ng langis para sa sariling kapakinabangan,” Nartatez added.
On Tuesday, authorities raided an illegal petroleum trade inside the Navotas Fish Port Complex, resulting in the arrest of nine individuals and the recovery of 65,000 liters of diesel valued at around P9.75 million.
A diesel stockpile without permit was also recently discovered inside a residential compound in Barangay Sacred Heart, Quezon City on April 4.
The crackdown comes amid rising fuel prices caused by ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Oil pilferage and illegal petroleum activities in the Philippines, such as illegal trading, adulteration, hoarding, and overpricing of petroleum products, are penalized under Presidential Decree 1865 in relation to Batas Pambansa Blg. 33.
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