Retailer sued for selling fake Caltex products

CEBU, Philippines - A former Caltex dealer is in hot water after he was found selling fake Caltex products at his Caltex station along Colon St., Cebu City.

Worse, his dealership contract with Chevron Philippines Incorporated (CPI), the owner of Caltex, already expired in 2008 yet.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) operatives last July 15 acted a search and seizure order issued by a Regional Trial Court branch at the National Capital Region against John Michael Tan for various acts of fraud and misrepresentation.

The court reportedly believes Tan committed fraud for claiming to be selling Caltex fuels although tests showed that the fuels sold at the station are from undetermined sources.

The court found clear reason to believe that there is a continued violation of the law against unfair competition and false representation.

“Tan has continued to hold himself out as an authorized Caltex dealer even though his dealership contract with CPI expired way back in 2008,” said CPI Manager for Policy, Government & Public Affairs Raissa Bautista.

CPI is the sole and exclusive Philippine marketer and distributor of the brand of Caltex fuels, lubricants, and other petroleum products.

“What is worse,” Bautista added, “is that Tan over the past three years has been fraudulently presenting himself to motorists and the public as selling Caltex branded Gold with Techron, Silver with Techron and Diesel with Techron at Colon station when in fact products being sold there are ofunknown origin.”

Over the past three years, CPI exerted all efforts to end Tan’s illegal activities, but to no avail. This caused CPI to ask assistance from the NBI.

Bautista thanked the NBI for its assistance in putting a stop to Tan’s illegal activities.

“CPI is most thankful to the NBI for its continuing efforts to put a stop to all types of fraud being perpetrated against the consuming public and such actions mirror our own commitment to ensure our customers of quality fuels each and every time they gas up at a Caltex station,” said Bautista.

The FREEMAN tried to contact Tan, but he could not be located. — THE FREEMAN