CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — Police and other law enforcement agencies seized around P22 million worth of allegedly illegally traded petroleum products and arrested eight people during an anti-smuggling operation in Dinalupihan, Bataan, before dawn on Thursday, July 16.
The operation, conducted in Barangay San Benito, involved operatives from the Regional Special Operations Group of the Regional Intelligence Division 3, the Philippine National Police Intelligence Group Task Force Anti-Smuggling, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Bataan Provincial Field Unit, the Bataan Police Provincial Office, the 1st Bataan Provincial Mobile Force Company, and the Dinalupihan Municipal Police Station.
Police said the operation stemmed from intelligence reports about the alleged illegal sale and diversion of petroleum products.
Authorities initially arrested two suspects during an entrapment operation after they were allegedly caught selling fuel without the required license from the Department of Energy.
A follow-up inspection led to the arrest of six more individuals after authorities discovered fuel tanker trucks and unauthorized storage containers allegedly being used to unload and divert petroleum products intended for delivery to another consignee.
Recovered from the operation were more than 104,000 liters of fuel, including over 68,000 liters of diesel, 20,000 liters of unleaded gasoline, 7,600 liters of premium gasoline, and 8,800 liters of ethanol.
Authorities also confiscated four fuel tanker trucks, an electric pump, and several delivery documents believed to be connected to the alleged illegal trading operation.
Investigators said the petroleum products were allegedly diverted from their intended destination, in violation of Batas Pambansa Blg. 33, as amended by Presidential Decree No. 1865, which prohibits the unauthorized sale, distribution, and diversion of petroleum products.
Police Brig. Gen. Jess B. Mendez, regional director of Police Regional Office 3, said the operation demonstrates the agency’s intensified campaign against economic sabotage.
“This successful operation reflects PRO3’s unwavering commitment to combating illicit trade activities that undermine legitimate businesses and deprive the government of much-needed revenues. We will continue to intensify intelligence-driven operations and strengthen inter-agency collaboration to protect the economy and ensure that violators are held accountable,” Mendez said.
Police said the operation is part of the Philippine National Police’s continuing drive to curb illegal petroleum trading, protect legitimate businesses, and safeguard government revenues across Central Luzon. (Jason de Asis)