By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) ordered a thorough investigation to determine possible links between illegal fuel operations in Laguna and Navotas City after a new oil pilferage or “paihi” bust inside a resort compound led to the arrest of six suspects.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the Laguna case may provide crucial leads on whether small-scale oil pilferage activities are tied to a wider network.
“While we treat every case with specific focus, we are not setting aside the possibility that this is part of a larger syndicate. So far, there are initial findings that the incident is localized but our intelligence monitoring continues to determine if there is a wider network behind these operations,” Nartatez said in a statement on Thursday.
Police arrested six people inside a hotel and resort compound in San Pablo City, Laguna on Wednesday after they were allegedly caught in the act of dispensing, hoarding, and adulterating petroleum products in violation of the Oil Pilferage Law.
Seized during the operation were an oil tanker loaded with about 500 liters of fuel, storage tanks, electric pumps, hoses, and containers.
Om Tuesday, nine individuals were also apprehended while 65,000 liters of diesel worth PHP9.75 million were seized in a raid at the Navotas Fish Port complex in Barangay North Bay Boulevard South, Navotas City.
These incidents added to a series of police operations targeting schemes involving recycled fuel being redistributed through informal channels amid a shortage in oil supply due to tensions in the Middle East.
“We are currently cross-matching the profiles of the suspects arrested in Laguna with our database of previous ‘paihi’ operators in Navotas and nearby provinces. Sinisilip natin kung iisa lang ang pinagkukunan ng recycled oil at kung saan ito ibinibenta (We are looking into whether there is only one source of recycled oil and where it is sold.). Kung may (If there is a) link to organized oil pilferage groups, we will pursue them aggressively,” Nartatez said.
He called on the public to help authorities monitor suspicious movements involving fuel.
“Malaking tulong ang mabilis na pag-uulat sa ating mga himpilan (Quick reporting to our stations is a big help) if you notice unusual movements of tankers in residential areas or resorts during odd hours,” he said.
Meanwhile, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño, in a press briefing at Camp Crame, said 393 gas stations have temporarily closed due to supply constraints, as authorities monitor the downstream impact of the oil supply crunch.
He also reported 15 incidents of fuel hoarding and profiteering nationwide – three in the National Capital Region, five in the Bicol Region, four in Eastern Visayas, two in Central Luzon, and one in the Davao Region.
A total of 34 individuals are facing charges in connection with these cases.
The Department of Energy has sought the assistance of the PNP to intensify efforts against fuel hoarding and profiteering as supply issues persist. (PNA)
