Oil tanker with 20,000 liters of diesel flagged for fuel transfer in QC

An oil tanker carrying around 20,000 liters of diesel was flagged for allegedly transferring fuel in Barangay Sacred Heart in Quezon City.

According to Katrina Son’s exclusive report on “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday, the tanker was seen parked in front of a house along Scout Castor on Saturday evening.

Residents said the tanker was first spotted in the morning but left after it was flagged by barangay officials, only to return later in the evening.

“They discharged oil here into a fuel tank inside a residence. Then, they continued the discharge even though the BPSO was trying to stop them,” one resident said.

“I don’t know exactly how they’re transferring it, but there’s a hose—from the tanker to the tank. I don’t know if it’s crude oil or gasoline, but what I’ve heard is it was diesel,” another resident added.

Barangay officials said the tanker driver claimed he was transporting diesel allegedly for personal use.

“We were told it wasn’t that dangerous, but the problem is they didn’t coordinate with the barangay. They don’t have a permit,” said Rowell Oligario, a barangay public safety officer.

The barangay sought assistance from the Quezon City Police District and the Bureau of Fire Protection to stop the activity.

Residents expressed concern over the operation, citing potential safety risks.

“It could have caused a fire because there were welding activities there, and I could smell varnish… there were also smokers around,” a resident said.

“This is a residential area, and that’s very alarming. If you threw a cigarette, it could cause an explosion,” another resident added.

Residents said they plan to submit a petition to the Quezon City government on Monday seeking assistance.

GMA News also reached out to the owner of the compound where the tanker was spotted, but the owner was not available.

The purpose of the diesel transfer remains unclear. The Department of Energy (DOE), however, earlier said the sale of petroleum products in fuel-grade drums or containers is allowed for legitimate operational use, provided safety standards are followed and purchases are consistent with operational needs.

The DOE said this applies to end-users such as fishing vessels, marine operators, transport services, hospitals using generator sets, local government units, agricultural users, telecommunications facilities, port services, and other businesses with legitimate fuel requirements.

Also on Sunday, the Department of Energy (DOE) launched an investigation into the reported illegal storage of diesel in a residential area.

In an interview with GMA News, Energy Undersecretary Wimpy Fuentebella said authorities acted on reports that a tanker had been unloading diesel in the area since Saturday, prompting a joint response from the barangay, local government, and police.

Fuentebella said storing large volumes of petroleum products in residential areas poses serious safety risks and is usually done without the necessary permits.

“Storing large volumes of diesel or petroleum products in a residential area is unsafe… In most cases, it does not have a permit,” he said.

Fuentebella warned that hoarding petroleum products could disrupt supply distribution and create artificial shortages, aside from endangering nearby residents.

“Petroleum products should not be stored in homes… Hoarding can create artificial shortages, aside from posing safety risks,” he said.

He also noted that diesel and other fuel products have a limited shelf life and are not meant for long-term storage, unlike crude oil kept in strategic reserves.

The DOE is currently building a case against those responsible, with possible violations including hoarding and other offenses that could lead to criminal charges.

The property owner may be held liable, while authorities are tracing the source of the diesel.

Fuentebella added that the DOE is strengthening coordination with local government units and law enforcement agencies nationwide to better monitor fuel supply and demand and prevent similar incidents.

Residents were urged to report any suspicious fuel storage or distribution activities to authorities.—Vince Angelo Ferreras/MCG, GMA News