PNP-CIDG agents seize P25-M worth of illegal LPG products
AN estimated P25 million worth of sub-standard LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) products being sold to the public in Ilocos-Pangasinan region were seized by agents of the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Mapandan, Pangasinan, PNP-CIDG director Maj. Gen. Leo M. Francisco said yesterday.
The official said that the raid at the Centurions LPG Refilling Station in Bgy. Nilombot in Mapandan municipality was part of their intensified implementation of a directive from PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco D. Marbil to go after illegal activities, including those leading to economic sabotage.
He added that they are investigating the suspected owner of the raided establishment identified only as alias “Angelica” and her employees who were identified through their aliases “Angelica,” “Jerryme” and “Rolan.”
Francisco said that on the strength of a search warrants for violation of Republic Act 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, specifically trademark infringement and unfair competition, and RA 11592 or the LPGH Industry Regulation Act issued by Dagupan City Judge Mervin Jovito Samadan, CIDG Pangasinan Provincial Office agents raided the establishment.
Recovered during the search were two trucks loaded with various LPGH valves, hoses and gas pump equipment, two weighing scales, four LPG filling machines with filling heads, 47 pieces of green generic cylinder seals, assorted calculators, receipts, documents and ledgers, P32,540 in cash and hundreds of LPG cylinder tanks with various brands.
The raid was triggered by a complaint from an authorized representative of the LPG Makers’ Association Inc. regarding the presence of the establishment engaged in the illegal sale and distribution of Regasco LPG cylinder tanks using substandard and un-requalified cylinders, posing significant hazards to consumers.
Local barangay officials witnessed the conduct of the search. The arrested personalities were brought to the CIDG office in Dagupan City for documentation and further investigation, the PNP-CIDG director said.
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