CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — Around P22 million worth of illegally traded petroleum products were seized while eight individuals were arrested during a joint anti-smuggling operation conducted in Brgy. San Benito, Dinalupihan, Bataan in the early hours of Thursday (July 16).
The operation was carried out by joint elements of the Regional Special Operations Group of the Regional Intelligence Division 3 (RSOG-RID3), PNP Intelligence Group Task Force Anti-Smuggling, CIDG Bataan Provincial Field Unit, Provincial Intelligence Unit of Bataan Police Provincial Office, 1st Bataan Provincial Mobile Force Company, and the Dinalupihan Municipal Police Station following intelligence information regarding the illegal sale and diversion of petroleum products.
Initial entrapment operations led to the apprehension of two individuals allegedly caught in the act of selling petroleum products without the necessary license from the Department of Energy (DOE).
Subsequent inspection of the area resulted in the arrest of six more individuals after authorities discovered fuel tanker trucks and unauthorized storage containers being used to unload and divert petroleum products intended for delivery to a different consignee and location.
Seized during the operation were more than 104,000 liters of petroleum products, 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, along with four fuel tanker trucks, an electric pump, and several delivery documents allegedly linked to the illegal trading operation.
Investigation revealed that the petroleum products being unloaded at the site were allegedly intended for delivery to a different consignee and 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.
PRO3 Director PBGEN Jess B Mendez, commended the operating units for the successful operation and reaffirmed the PNP’s commitment to protecting legitimate businesses and government revenues from the damaging effects of illicit trade and economic sabotage. (UnliNews Online)
