P128 million smuggled fuel seized in Batangas

MANILA, Philippines — Suspected smuggled fuel worth P128 million was seized by agents of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the police at a port in San Juan, Batangas yesterday.
The BOC said the 217,000 liters of fuel, which were reportedly amassed through the paihi or fuel pilfering scheme, were loaded on the motor tanker Feliza and 11 lorry trucks that were intercepted at the Subukin Port.
The operation was led by agents of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP) backed by the Philippine Coast Guard and police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said fuel smuggling undermines legitimate businesses and poses risks to consumers.
Rubio cited the importance of the seizure of the contraband, saying it ensures that “only tested and safe fuel gets to our markets.”
BOC-CIIS chief Verne Enciso said the tanker and the trucks failed the initial fuel sampling and testing conducted at the scene by the SGS fuel marking team-Batangas and the CIIS-MICP agents.
“The fuel marking was at zero percent,” Enciso said, noting that the absence of fuel markings indicates lack or non-payment of necessary taxes and duties.
The owners, officers and crewmbers of the Feliza and the trucks will be charged with violation of Republic Act 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act as well as RA 10963 or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law.
The seizure came several hours after a Chinese businessman, his translator and 25 others were arrested for alleged illegal trade of petroleum products at the same port, according to CIDG director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III.
Among those arrested were alias Hong, a Chinese businessman from San Juan City, Metro Manila, and alias Charles, a Filipino-Chinese translator.
The CIDG-Batangas conducted the operation following a request from the BOC regarding smuggling activities at the port.
The suspects were reportedly caught siphoning fuel from the motor tanker into the trucks. — Evelyn Macairan, Emmanuel Tupas, Arnell Ozaeta
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