ILOILO City – The Regional Maritime Unit 6 (RMU-6) has intensified its operation across Western Visayas against oil smuggling activities.
Colonel Ervin John Provido, RMU-6 director, said he has been receiving information about the oil smuggling activities of several traders.
“We are receiving reports about oil smuggling and I had already directed my men to concentrate on oil smugglers aside from running after illegal fishers. These oil smugglers are not paying their taxed which is illegal,” Provido said.
Oil smuggling is the illegal transportation, sale, or purchase of petroleum products, such as crude oil, gasoline, diesel, or other refined products.
Smugglers may attempt to avoid paying taxes or fees on the oil, or try to evade sanctions/embargoes on oil imports and exports. Smuggling can occur through various methods, such as smuggling oil in containers or hidden compartments in ships, illegal ship-to-ship (STS) transfers, or through fraudulent documents and mislabeling of cargo.
The RMU-6 team led by Major Janvier Gilza, alongside Police Staff Sergeant Roseller Montaniel Jr., Patrolman Rey Jun Palomaria, and Patrolman Denmark Tubalinal recently arrested eight persons for illegal trading of petroleum products at the seawaters of Estancia, Iloilo.
They were identified as Alfie Despi Batarilan, 38, of Barangay Luguingot, Estancia; Kim Talad Sabanal, 27, of Barangay Jintotolo, Balud, Masbate; Noue Balasabas Jr., 48; Johnrey Paghubasan, 19; Ryan Consas, 22; Ivan Capao, 26; Riche Gallardo, 33; and Bernie Latchica, 32 — all residents of Estancia.
They were aboard a motorized banca loaded with petroleum products when they were intercepted.
The arrest came following reports that the motorized banca was transporting petroleum products. Upon inspection, authorities recovered approximately 3,200 liters or 16 drums of diesel fuel, with an estimated market value of P190,000.
The suspects were charged for violating Section 1(a) of Presidential Decree 1865, which prohibits illegal trading of petroleum and petroleum products./PN
