Authorities arrested eight men allegedly involved in the unauthorized cross-refilling liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) products in Caloocan City, the Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) said Sunday.
In a statement, the suspects were nabbed on Friday through the strength of a search warrant.
Police seized 38 empty cylinders, 42 filled cylinders, four vehicles, weighing scales, component hoses, refilling pumps, a compressor, and a bullet tank with an estimated value of P25,000,000.
The PNP-CIDG said the suspects are facing charges for the unauthorized cross-filling and manufacturing, distributing, refilling, or selling LPG cylinders carrying a trademark or trade name without the express approval of the trademark owner under the LPG Industry Regulation Act.
Meanwhile, authorities are searching for five other suspects.
“We encourage the public to report any violation and illegal activities and trade malpractice involving LPG and other consumer products,” CIDG Police Major General Nicolas Torres II said.
This after LPG firms increased prices by P0.70 per kilogram in February, following the rollback implemented last month. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News
