AT least P8.9 million worth of petroleum was seized and six persons were arrested in an operation in Caloocan City, the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) said on Tuesday.
In a press briefing held at Camp Crame, PNP-HPG spokesman Lt. Nadame Malang said the six suspects were arrested on April 16 for alleged violation of Presidential Decree 1865 in relation to Batas Pambansa Bilang 33, which penalizes the illegal handling and distribution of petroleum products.
Nadame said the suspects were caught transferring methanol into large plastic containers with gasoline and diesel.
“Operatives saw the six suspects transferring the methanol from the tanker to the plastic containers, which is not allowed since we have authorized depots for transferring these kinds of liquids,” Malang told reporters.
Authorities said the practice increases fuel volume and maximizes profit.
“Their purpose is to increase their supply of petroleum products. If they add 3,000 liters of methanol to 1,000 liters of diesel, they’d have a 4,000-liter diesel mixture,” he added.
Police seized around 10,000 liters of methanol, 8,000 liters of unleaded gasoline, 1,000 liters of premium gasoline and 1,000 liters of diesel during the operation.
