3 nabbed, P1.36M equipment seized at illegal LPG refilling station in Marilao, Bulacan

Three were arrested while P1.36 million in equipment were seized at an illegal LPG refilling station in Marilao, Bulacan last week, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

In a statement on Tuesday, the PNP said the illegal refilling activities were discovered at a warehouse in the afternoon of Thursday last week, May 21.

Police personnel implemented a search warrant for violation of Republic Act 11592 or the LPG Industry Regulation Act and caught three employees in the act of illegally refilling an LPG cylinder without clearance or authority from legitimate brand owners.

Law enforcers confiscated nine refilling heads, LPG hoses, refilling hoses, a weighing scale, a motor compressor, and a branded LPG cylinder tank used as a container for refilling.

The seized items were worth P1.36 million and were allegedly used in the “unauthorized handling and refilling of LPG products inside the warehouse,” the PNP said.

RA 11592 prohibits the refilling of LPG cylinders without the authority of the registered brand owners in a bid to ensure public safety, product integrity, and lawful distribution of LPG products.

“Ang mahigpit na pagpapatupad ng batas kaugnay ng produktong petrolyo ay mahalaga upang mapanatili ang kaligtasan ng publiko at maiwasan ang anumang kapahamakan,” said PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.

(It is important to strictly enforce the law on petroleum products in order to ensure public safety and prevent a tragedy from happening.) — JMA, GMA News