Authorities apprehended two individuals and recovered fuel and equipment valued at almost P2.8 million in a crackdown on unauthorized petroleum trading in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro.
The Philippine National Police said the arrests followed a coordinated operation by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group’s provincial unit and local police in Barangay Sto. Niño.
Investigators said the suspects were engaged in the sale and transport of petroleum products without clearance from the Department of Energy.
A tanker truck with an estimated load of 16,000 liters of premium gasoline was taken during the operation.
Police estimated the seized fuel and vehicle to be worth P2,793,000 combined.
The two men were taken into custody and informed of their legal rights as authorities prepared charges for violations of laws regulating fuel trading.
Police officials said they will sustain operations against illegal fuel activities, citing safety concerns and the need to protect legitimate traders.