26 nabbed; over P13 million worth of oil products seized in Batangas
PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) confiscates oil products worth P12.2 million and illegal trade equipment; and arrests 26 individuals in San Juan, Batangas on Tuesday early morning (Feb. 4, 2025). (Photo from the PNP CIDG)
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP CIDG) arrested 26 individuals and confiscated oil products worth P13.02 million on early morning of Tuesday in San Juan, Batangas.
The law enforcers also seized the pieces of equipment used in the illegal trade.
According to the CIDG report, at 12:20 a.m. on February 4 at the Subukin Port in Batangas, the operation discovered and seized six straight truck tankers, four trailer trucks, one straight truck and a motor tanker.
The 11 trucks were valued at a total of P55 million while the tanker was valued at P60 million, according to a separate report from the Bureau of Customs also on Tuesday.
All vehicles and the vessel were carrying a total 217,000 liters of petroleum worth P60 per liter.
Article continues after this advertisementCustoms valued all the evidence at a total of P128 million.
Article continues after this advertisement“The tanker and lorry both had failed results in the initial fuel sampling and testing… The fuel marking was at zero percent,” Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service Director Verne Enciso said in the report.
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The CIDG’s Batangas provincial unit and Calabarzon regional unit, the San Juan Municipal Police Station, the operatives from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine Coast Guard carried out the operation.
The arrests and seizures stemmed from a Customs request to crack down on suspected trading of goods without payment of lawful duties and taxes at the port.
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The persons apprehended were brought to the Batangas CIDG.
They will be charged with complaints for violating Section 2(a) of Presidential Decree No. 1865 which penalizes the illegal trade of petroleum and petroleum products, the police said.
According to the BOC, the owners of the vessel and the trucks, its captain and crew will also face charges for violating the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act as well as the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law.
Customs took custody of the evidence.
“While our mandate is to protect and man our borders, it comes with the responsibility of making sure our consumers, especially those who purchase from small and independent retailers, have access to only legal, legitimate, and tested products, including fuel,” Customs Intelligence Group Deputy Commissioner Juvymax Uy said in a statement.
