DOE, LPG makers laud PNP crackdown on illegal refillers

The Department of Energy (DOE) and LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) dealers have lauded the government’s efforts through the Philippine National Police (PNP) to go after illegal LPG refillers in Metro Manila.

The LPG dealers, in particular, commended the efforts of the PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG )director Gen. Eduardo Matillano, former CIDG Anti-Organized Crime and Businessmen’s Concern Division (AOCBCD) chief Paterno M. Orduna and AOCBCD’s Task Force LIGAS head Marissa Salgo.

Acting on the complaint of various LPG dealers and in coordination with DOE, the CIDG formed Task Force LIGAS to conduct surveillance and eventually apprehend and file appropriate cases against those engaged in illegal LPG activities in the metropolis.

"We are being tasked to protect the interest of the public. LPG is practically being used by all households not only in Metro Manila but also in the provinces. It is a serious crime that we have to look into because it concerns the safety of Filipino consumers," CIDG-AOCBCD Task Force LIGAS head Marissa G. Salgo said.

"The primary concern of the group is the protection of lives and property. Do you know that one LPG tank is equivalent to 10 live grenades?" she said.

In two months of intensive campaign against illegal LPG refillers, Task Force LIGAS was able to confiscate hundreds of illegally refilled LPG cylinders and other paraphernalia used in illegal refilling activities worth millions of pesos. Ten cases were already filed in different courts.

Due to the success of the operations in Metro Manila, the LPG dealers have requested CIDG through its current AOBCD chief police superintendent Rosueto V. Ricaforte to extend the program and to create a permanent team that would monitor these illegal activities in the LPG industry.

"The operations of Task Force LIGAS proved to be successful, that is why we want them to continue the operations by forming a permanent task force that will concentrate on all illegal activities in the petroleum business particularly LPG," the dealers said.