By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The owner of the barge linked to the alleged illegal trade of PHP9.75 million worth of diesel seized at the Navotas Fish Port Complex on April 7 has been identified, the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) said Tuesday.
“Ito ay negosyante at, based rin sa information na nakuha natin, almost two years na ‘yan ang ginagawa, ‘yung ganitong kind of profiteering or this kind of transaction (This is a businessman who, based on the information we got, has been engaged in this kind of profiteering or transaction for almost two years already),” PNP-HPG spokesperson Lt. Nadame Malang said in a briefing.
Malang withheld the identities of the owner of the barge, as well as of the truck that was allegedly involved in the illegal operation, citing the ongoing investigation.
He said the HPG is awaiting certification from the Department of Energy to determine whether the nine arrested individuals were authorized to distribute petroleum products and whether the fish port is a designated distribution site.
The barge and truck, meanwhile, remain under HPG custody.
Nine men were arrested and about 65,000 liters of diesel were seized during the raid, which stemmed from a tip about suspected illegal fuel transfer in the area.
Police said the suspects were caught transferring fuel but failed to present permits for its transport and storage.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. earlier described the operation as a major blow to organized illegal fuel activities, particularly the so-called “paihi” scheme in port areas. (PNA)
