Zambales raids uncover illegal fuel sale

Law enforcement operations targeting unlicensed fuel distribution led to the arrest of five suspects and the confiscation of more than P4 million worth of illicit petroleum products in Zambales province, authorities reported.

Officers seized approximately 50,737 liters of petroleum products valued at P4,006,261 during two separate sting operations, according to reports submitted to Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) director Police Maj. Gen. Robert AA Morico II.

In the first operation at around 1:30 p.m., agents from the CIDG Zambales Provincial Field Unit, the Masinloc Municipal Police Station, and the Zambales Provincial Intelligence Team targeted a gasoline station in Barangay Inhobol, Masinloc.

Police arrested three suspects caught trading petroleum products without permits or authorization from the Department of Energy (DoE).

Investigators noted the gas station lacked a required Certificate of Compliance. Officers confiscated P2,608,264 worth of fuel products at the site.

Later that afternoon, between 2:50 p.m. and 5 p.m., the CIDG Bataan Provincial Field Unit, the CIDG Regional Field Unit 3 Special Operations Team, and the San Narciso Municipal Police Station conducted a second operation at a gasoline station in Barangay Patrocinio, San Narciso.

Authorities arrested two suspects caught selling fuel without DoE authorization and seized 17,488 liters of illicit petroleum products valued at P1,397,996.

Morico stressed that federal law strictly regulates fuel sales to safeguard consumer safety and market fairness.

Under Batas Pambansa Blg. 33, as amended by Presidential Decree 1865, selling or distributing petroleum products for profit without a valid license from proper regulatory authorities is illegal.