P2M worth of stolen diesel found in San Mateo, Rizal

Around P2 million worth of stolen diesel was discovered at a compound in San Mateo, Rizal.

According to a "24 Oras" report by Jun Veneracion on Friday, the illegal operation was found after one of its trucks was stopped for a broken headlight in Valenzuela City.

The PNP Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) later found that the vehicle carried 7,000 liters of undocumented and unprocessed diesel, leading to the arrest of the driver and porter of the truck.

Further investigation led authorities to a compound in San Mateo, Rizal, where 8,000 more liters of unprocessed fuel were discovered in four tanker trucks.

In total, authorities seized 15,000 liters of stolen diesel worth around P2 million.

“Imbakan na lang mismo itong apat na tanker. Talagang paihi-style na lang siya, ginigripuhan na lang. Afterwards, ibigay para ilipat sa mga bariles,” shared PNP-HPG Spokesperson Police Lieutenant Nadame Malang.

(They’ll just store it directly in these four tankers. It’s really being handled in a piecemeal, ‘drip’ style—just dispensed as needed. Afterwards, it’s handed over to be transferred into barrels.)

Authorities said that the stolen diesel may have originated from different parts of Metro Manila and was brought to be sold 30% to 50% cheaper in provinces.

The fuel will be turned over to the Department of Energy.

“Kung ito po ay hindi naprosesong maigi at hindi po dumaan sa DTI, sa DOE, no, maaari po makapinsala po ito sa kanikanya po nating mga sasakyan,” Malang added.

(If this is not properly processed through the DTI and DOE, it can destroy our cars.)

Meanwhile, the two suspects remain under the custody of the PNP-HPG while the person renting the compound is being investigated for possible links to the operation. —Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/LDF, GMA News