P25M in illegal LPG tanks, refilling equipment seized in Caloocan — CIDG

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) confiscated P25 million in illegally refilled liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders in Caloocan City.

CIDG chief PMGen. Nicolas Torre III said on Sunday that the police operation, conducted on Friday in Barangay 163, Sta. Quiteria, targeted an unauthorized LPG refilling station. The raid was carried out under a search warrant issued by a Caloocan court for the illegal sale and distribution of petroleum products.

Authorities arrested eight employees, though five more suspects, including the alleged business owners, remain at large.

“The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group has intensified its nationwide operation against intellectual property rights violations and trade malpractices involving liquified petroleum products (LPG) across the country,” Torre said.

During the raid, police seized 38 empty LPG cylinders, 42 filled cylinders, two weighing scales, two component hoses, two refilling pumps, one compressor, one bullet tank, and four vehicles — a Mitsubishi van, an Isuzu ELF truck, a Kia van, and a HOWO truck.

The arrested suspects were charged before the National Prosecution Service for violating Section 40(c) in relation to Section 38(b)(2) of Republic Act No. 11592, or the LPG Industry Regulation Act, which penalizes unauthorized cross-filling and the illegal manufacture, distribution, refilling, or sale of LPG cylinders bearing a registered trademark without approval from the trademark owner.

Torre added that the same charges would be filed against the five at-large suspects, identified as Jay, Edigene, Babylyn, Joseph, and Joachim.

“We encourage the public to report any violation and illegal activities and trade malpractice involving LPG and other consumer products,” he said.