Lucena city: The Philippine National Police (PNP) directed all police regional offices to intensify intelligence and enforcement operations against oil pilferage following the seizure of over PHP16.29 million worth of petroleum products, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), vehicles, and the arrest of 13 suspects allegedly engaged in illegal oil transfer in Lucena City, Quezon province.
According to Philippines News Agency, PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. stated that all Police Regional Offices (PROs) should strengthen intelligence gathering and sustain operations against oil pilferage, illegal fuel transfers, and unauthorized LPG refilling activities. He also ordered provincial, city, and municipal police offices to identify and monitor warehouses, storage facilities, and suspected transfer sites being used for illegal petroleum operations.
The operation was conducted by the Regional Special Operations Unit of the Police Regional Office 4A (Calabarzon), 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 July 27.
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. "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," Nartatez said of the operation.
The suspects will face charges for alleged violations of Presidential Decree No. 1865, or the Oil Pilferage Law, and Republic Act 11592, or the LPG Industry Regulation Act. "I commend our operating units for their professionalism and assure the public that we will pursue not only those caught in the act but also the individuals who finance and orchestrate these illegal activities," Nartatez said. He added this is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., through the guidance of Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, to intensify the campaign against smuggling and other illegal trade involving petroleum products.
