Manila: At least 27 cases have been filed for fuel hoarding and profiteering violations, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said in a news release over the weekend. Since March, authorities have filed seven cases of hoarding, one case of profiteering, and 19 other offenses involving illegal storage, transport, and trading of petroleum products.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Agusan del Norte Provincial Field Unit arrested two male suspects, identified by their aliases 'Ando' and 'Bote,' in Barangay Santa Ana, Tubay for oil pilferage or locally known as 'paihi.' The truck driver and a helper were reportedly caught while siphoning fuel from a tanker truck into barrels and smaller containers for unauthorized trading. The tanker truck, which reportedly came from Cagayan de Oro City, stopped along the roadside where the unlawful transfer was carried out.
Seized during the operation was a trailer tanker containing petroleum products, including one barrel with an estimated volume of 180 liters. The total value of the seized evidence was estimated at PHP6.6 million. The PNP stated that 294 out of 14,527 gas stations nationwide temporarily closed due to supply constraints.
Enforcement efforts are being conducted in coordination with the Department of Energy and Price Monitoring Council of local government units. These efforts align with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to ensure stability amid global developments affecting the fuel supply.
Meanwhile, the PNP reported that the rollout of the Safer Cities initiative has led to a notable decrease in crimes against persons. Police data showed that between March 28 to April 5 (pre-implementation period) and April 6 to April 14 (post-implementation period), murder cases went down by 9.8 percent, from 91 cases to 82; homicide dropped by 39.3 percent, from 28 cases to 17; physical injury cases decreased by 22.7 percent, from 132 cases to 102; and rape incidents were likewise down by 22.9 percent, from 96 cases to 74.
