PNP reports 294 closed gas stations

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said the number of gas stations that temporarily closed due to high oil prices resulting from the Middle East war stood at 294 nationwide as of April 18, 2026.

The PNP monitored 14,257 gas stations across the country. 

It also said that from March 1 to date, authorities have filed 27 cases involving fuel-related violations, including seven cases of hoarding, one case of profiteering, and 19 other offenses covering illegal storage, transport, and trading of petroleum products.

The PNP said that an operation conducted on April 17, in Barangay Santa Ana, Tubay, Agusan del Norte, led to the arrest of two male suspects, identified by their aliases “Ando” and “Bote,” for their alleged involvement in oil pilferage, locally known as “paihi.”

The suspects, a truck driver and a helper, were reportedly caught transferring fuel from a tanker truck to barrels and smaller containers for unauthorized trading. 

The tanker truck, which reportedly came from Cagayan de Oro City, had stopped along the roadside where the transfer was carried out without proper authority or permit.

Confiscated during the operation were one trailer tanker containing petroleum products, including one barrel with an estimated volume of 180 liters. 

The total value of the seized evidence is estimated at P6,620,000. 

The PNP said the suspects are now in police custody for violation of Presidential Decree No. 1865, which amended Batas Pambansa Blg. 33. —VBL, GMA News