Diesel stockpile in QC residential compound had no permits —QCPD

The residential compound in Barangay Sacred Heart in Quezon City found to have a massive fuel tank storage allegedly intended to receive a delivery of 10,000 liters of diesel from an oil tanker had no permits, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) said. 

QCPD Station 10 commander Police Lieutenant Colonel Zachary Capellan said a representative from a company admitted they lack the necessary permits to store thousands of liters of diesel in a residential area.

“Ang nabanggit naman ng representative, kapag hindi po sila nakapag-produce ng certificate o requirements o permit, sila mismo magkukusang hindi na itutuloy at ipu-pull out nila 'yung diesel at saka 'yung tanker sa loob ng residential (area) na 'yun,” Capellan said.

(The representative said that if they could not produce a certificate or the requirements or permit, they will be the ones who will pull out the diesel and tanker in that residential area.)

An oil tanker carrying around 20,000 liters of diesel was flagged for allegedly transferring fuel in the said residential compound.

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 Street on Saturday evening.

The representative claimed the fuel was for "personal consumption," including metal fabrication work and powering generators.

“Ang paliwanag nila, personal consumption according to them kasi nga meron 'yung lugar na 'yung residential area na 'yun. Nagfa-fabricate sila ng mga metalworks. Nabanggit nila na personal consumption na rin 'yung diesel kung bakit nag-iimbak sila roon. At ganoon pa man at hindi natin pinayagan... May nabanggit na gagamitin daw sa generator,” Capellan added.

(They explained that it was for personal consumption. They are fabricating metalworks. They mentioned the diesel would also be used for personal consumption that is why they are storing it there. Even then, we are not allowing this... They also mentioned that it would be used for a generator.)

DOE visit

The Department of Energy (DOE) conducted a surprise visit on Sunday at the said residential compound.

DOE Undersecretary Wimpy Fuentebella personally knocked on the gate of the compound but no one came out to meet them.

The inspection was conducted after the DOE received reports that an oil tanker, similar to those used to deliver fuel to gas stations, unloaded liters of diesel into the storage tank through a hose. The activity was caught on video and sent to GMA News.

“Dapat pumupunta 'yung petroleum products sa dapat puntahan. Hindi sa kabahayan na may malaking storage na nagkakaroon tayo ng tinatawag na temporary shortage dahil mayroong mga nagho-hoarding," Fuentebella said.

(The petroleum products should be delivered to where they should be brought to, not in a residence with a big storage. This results in temporary shortage because there is hoarding.)

Not safe

Fuentebella warned that storing diesel or fuel products in a residential area is not safe.

"Ang paglalagay po ng napakaraming litro ng diesel o petroleum products sa isang residential area ay hindi po safe. Hindi po siya okay. Wala po siyang permit. Kadalasan po walang nakukuhang permit 'yung ganyan,” he said.

(The storing of so many liters of diesel or petroleum products in a residential area is not safe. It is not okay. It has no permit. Usually, no permit is given.)

The DOE warned that unlike crude oil, finished diesel has an expiration date and can degrade over time. 

“At kung marami po pong nagpaplano na magtatago sila ng gasolina, ng diesel, nabubulok po kasi 'yan. So dapat po ginagamit 'yan, hindi po 'yan tinatago. 'Yan din 'yung rason kung bakit ang Strategic Petroleum Reserve ay crude oil. Hindi po siya 'yung finished product na tinatago kasi may expiration po siya,” Fuentebella explained.

(And if there are others who are planning to store gasoline or diesel, know that it expires. So this should be used, not stored. That is the reason why the Strategic Petroleum Reserve is crude oil. The finished product is not kept because it has an expiration.)

Fuentebella said the operation is likely illegal and may constitute hoarding. The DOE and Philippine National Police (PNP) are now conducting a case build-up and may file criminal charges against the owner of the house and the fuel supplier.

“We will build a case. I don't want to say anything else kasi mas magandang maipon natin 'yung mga dapat ipunin para mas malakas 'yung pagpaproteksyon natin sa ating barangay,” he added.

(I don't want to say anything else because it would be better to keep [information] now so our case would be stronger to protect the barangay.)

Neighbors react

Barangay Sacred Heart Chairwoman Camille Malig-David said they do not know who the owner of the house is and they were unaware of the massive storage setup, as the property was known to be vacant and for sale.

“Hindi kami aware na may tank diyan kasi for the longest time, ang alam namin, binebenta po 'yung property na yan. Alam namin wala nakatira po diyan eh,” Malig-David said.

(We are not aware that there is a tank there because for the longest time, we know that the property is for sale. We thought no one lives there.)

The chairwoman raised concerns over the fire hazard posed by the tank.

“Residential area 'yan sir, hindi basta-basta po na puwedeng mag-store. 'Yung area namin is hindi kami binabaha, hindi po kami ma-prone sa mga landslide or what. Pero siyempre ang pinaka pinag-iingatan natin sa area is 'yung sunog po," she added.

(That is a residential area, sir; it is not an area where you can store [fuel]. Our area does not get flooded; we are not prone to landslides or what. But of course, we are guarding against fire hazards.)

According to Malig-David, the tanker returned twice on Saturday. During the evening delivery, the truck crew reportedly defied orders from barangay officials to stop unloading, claiming they had consulted a lawyer and could not be prevented from finishing the job.

The crew reportedly only presented delivery receipts, not safety permits. The operation only ceased once the police and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) arrived at the scene.

“Noong maaga pa po, nu'ng nakausap naman po na huwag kayong magbaba, alisin niyo yan, inalis naman po. Noong kinagabihan na nga po, nu'ng pagbalik, may nababanggit na nga po sila na may kausap din silang lawyer na hindi daw sila pwedeng ipatigil. That was the time na tumawag na po kami, ako, tumawag na po ako kay A.O. Zacate. Tumawag na rin po sa Station 10 and sa BFP,” she recounted.

(In the morning, we asked them not to transfer the fuel and to take the tanker out. The oil tanker drove away. Then at nighttime, the tanker came back, and they said they already talked to a lawyer and they cannot be stopped from delivering. That was the time that we made calls to A.O. Zacate, Station 10, and the BFP). 

Residents said they will submit a petition letter to the Quezon City local government unit about the matter. 

'Illegal activity'

On Monday, the BFP said the oil tanker allegedly involved in the unauthorized transfer and storage of fuel has been impounded.

At a press briefing, BFP chief Fire Chief Superintendent Wilberto Rico Neil Ang Kwan Tiu said authorities responded to reports of illegal activity involving flammable liquids.

“There was a reported illegal activity involving flammable liquids. The Quezon City Fire District, together with Station 10 of the Philippine National Police, responded,” Tiu said.

“The tanker was impounded pending the presentation of the necessary permits for their activities,” he added.

Tiu said that in such cases, the BFP coordinates with the DOE, while the bureau, with assistance from the PNP, impounds the tanker involved.

He warned that the activity poses serious risks.

“It is very hazardous because there is a possibility of ignition that could lead to a large fire. There is also a risk of explosion since the necessary fire safety requirements are not in place,” he said.

Tiu added that information about the driver has been turned over to the Quezon City Fire District, and the individual will be required to submit the necessary documents.

He said the DOE will lead the investigation, including the possible filing of economic sabotage charges, while the BFP will provide support.—KG/MCG, GMA News