CATARMAN, Northern Samar – The Philippine National Police arrested five men who were illegally transporting petroleum products in two separate checkpoints along the Maharlika Highway in Allen, Northern Samar, early morning on 17 February 2026.

The drivers and helpers in the two trucks admitted that the gasoline was intended for retail stores selling gasoline in bottles along the highway.

Police Colonel George Buyacao, provincial director of the Northern Samar Police Provincial Office (NSPPO), said the checkpoint operation, conducted as a routine inspection, first flagged down a heavily loaded wing van carrying 173 plastic containers with about 3,460 liters of petroleum products valued at approximately P173,000.

Later, another checkpoint intercepted a utility vehicle transporting the same type of petroleum products bound for San Isidro town. The vehicle was found carrying 2,540 liters of petroleum products with an estimated value of P132,080.

Buyacao said the gasoline was stored in plastic containers that did not meet safety standards, posing serious fire and public safety hazards.

“We will not tolerate the illegal transport and unsafe handling of petroleum products. These activities violate the law and pose serious risks to public safety. We assure the people of Northern Samar that checkpoint operations and intelligence efforts will be further strengthened to protect our communities,” Buyacao said.

All suspects were brought, together with the seized items, to the Allen municipal police station for documentation and filing of appropriate charges.

He added that NSPPO will continue to intensify checkpoint operations and strictly enforce laws against the illegal transport and sale of petroleum products.