Fuel smuggling crackdown in Bicol nets tanker truck, unmarked fuel

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) under Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, announced the confiscation of a tanker fuel truck and the shutting down of two gasoline stations found storing and selling smuggled gasoline and diesel.

In a statement on February 25, Bicol Region district collector Atty. Guillermo Pedro Francia said the fuel marking tests conducted by the Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) jointly with SGS Philippines resulted to the padlocking of the gasoline stations after the team found 30,891 liters of ‘unmarked’ gasoline and diesel worth P1.745 million and the seizure of the tanker truck valued at P1.5 million, for the aggregate amount of P3.2456 million.

Francia, however, failed to disclose the places in Bicol where the apprehensions allegedly took place or the names of the erring gasoline stations.

“The recent operations in the Bicol Region reflect our unwavering commitment in enforcing the law and ensuring compliance within the fuel sector.

The identification and seizure of non-compliant fuel highlights our proactive stance against illegal fuel sales and tax evasion.

“We urge all fuel station operators to strictly adhere to regulatory standards to avoid severe consequences,” Francia said.

To further combat fuel smuggling, the fuel marking program being implemented by the ESS, the operational arm of the Enforcement Group (EG) under Deputy Commissioner Teddy Raval, has gone down to the ‘grassroots’ level, involving the inspection of not only tanker trucks and lorries but even small gasoline and pumping stations as well.