NBI raids gas station selling ‘pirated’ fuel

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) seized eight fuel dispensers from a gasoline station in Parañaque City the other day after it was found to be illegally selling Caltex petroleum products.

Head agent Jose Justo Yap, of the NBI-Intellectual Property Rights Division (IPRD), said a team led by senior agent Joel Tuvera raided the AJAKS Auto Services Inc. on Doña Soledad Avenue in Parañaque City following complaints by the oil firm.

Caltex claimed the station was selling Vortex Gold, Vortex Silver and Power Diesel, samples of which were found out to be from another company.

Tuvera was armed with six search warrants issued by Executive Judge Antonio Eugenio Jr. of the Manila City Regional Trial Court.

There were two warrants for each violation committed against each petroleum product.

AJAKS allegedly committed violations of false designation of origin and unfair competition, both covered by the Intellectual Property Code for each petroleum product.

Agents confiscated eight fuel dispensers with pumps, two computer sets and a cash register without cash. They also dismantled Caltex signages and a price list displayed at the station.

Yap said it appeared that AJAKS was once a Caltex dealer, but the oil firm did not renew the contract when it expired.

Despite not having the right to sell Caltex products, the station allegedly continued to misrepresent the company. It was reportedly getting its fuel supply from another company.

"Before we carried out the raid, Caltex and the NBI conducted two separate test buys. The gasoline samples underwent chemical testing. The tests showed the petroleum they were selling were not original products because they lacked the identifying markings present in Caltex products," Yap said.

He said it took his men and a technical team sent by Caltex eight hours to remove the items.

No arrests were made since only the employees were present when the raid was conducted.

The NBI-IPRD said charges could be filed before the Parañaque City Prosecutor’s Office or the Department of Justice.