By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan | Philippine News Agency
Six individuals were arrested in separate operations targeting the illegal trading of petroleum products, locally known as “paihi,” in Navotas and the production of fraudulent Philippine National Police (PNP) documents in Manila, the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said Monday.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame, CIDG National Capital Region (NCR) Chief Col. John Guiagui said three suspects were arrested while allegedly selling petroleum products without the necessary permits and authority from the Department of Energy (DOE).
The suspects were arrested late Saturday night along Honorio Lopez Boulevard in Barangay NBBS Kaunlaran, Navotas.
Operatives seized six containers holding around 290 liters of diesel fuel, three steel storage tanks, a 20,000-liter fuel tanker, a 40,000-liter fuel tanker, and a mini tanker, with a total estimated value of P6.7 million.
Police also confiscated a diesel pump and several delivery receipts.
Col. Guiagui said the suspects were placed under police custody and subjected to inquest proceedings for alleged violation of Batas Pambansa No. 33, as amended by Presidential Decree No. 1865, which penalizes the illegal trade of petroleum products.
He said the operation was the CIDG’s third against “paihi” activities in the Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela) areas amid rising fuel prices linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Fuel pilferage scheme
The CIDG NCR Chief said the fuel was allegedly sourced from vessels at sea and brought to areas in Malabon and Navotas for distribution, “Sa dagat nila nakukuha ito eh… Kukunin nila ang naka-dock sa dagat. From there, ibababa nila sa Malabon, Navotas, then doon na nagbebentahan.”
He said the three arrested suspects were allegedly acting on behalf of individuals who were not present during the operation.
“Mga tauhan nila ito. Yung mga namumuno diyan, wala naman talaga sa area. But, we filed charges against them. ‘Pag lumabas warrant nila, aarestuhin namin sila,” he said.
Guiagui declined to identify the alleged masterminds but said they are Filipinos.
In a separate operation, CIDG-NCR personnel arrested three individuals in Manila on Friday for allegedly producing counterfeit PNP documents, including permits to carry (PTCs) firearms and police clearances.
Guiagui said counterfeit documents, particularly PTCs, are reportedly sold in the Recto Avenue area for more than P2,000 each.
“Nagkaroon kami ng buy-bust operation. Nagpagawa muna kami at indeed nakapagpalabas sila ng PTC nito na ibinigay after giving amount of money sa mga tauhan nila na namemeke,” Guiagui told reporters.
He said the CIDG-NCR will examine hard drives and other storage devices seized during the operation to identify people who may have commissioned the fake documents.
Those found to have obtained fraudulent documents may also face charges, while the CIDG will work to confiscate the fake IDs and documents, he added.
