For violating LPG refilling rules: 8 arrested, 11T canisters confiscated

CEBU, Philippines - Eight persons, including two minors, have been arrested and at least 11,000 butane canisters confiscated as authorities served a search warrant at a gas refilling station located along Uldog Street, Barangay San Roque, Talisay City last Thursday night.

The search warrant was issued by Judge Joel Dicdican at Regional Trial Court Branch 25 in Danao City based on report that the refilling station has violated several laws, including Department of Energy (DOE) Order 2014-01-001, or the Revised Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Rule.

These violations include illegal trading for refilling without authority, operating without a standard compliance certificate, illegal storage of LPG, and the employment of minors.

The warrant was acted upon by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-7 in collaboration with DOE-7 and Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO).

The subject of the warrant, owner Jane Reales, was not around during the operation, although authorities believed that she may have known about the search warrant as the security guard had put up a sign that said the facility was closed for business.

Operatives entered the premises and caught eight employees, including two minors, refilling butane canisters with LPG.

DOE-7 Legal Officer Russ Mark Gamallo explained that it is prohibited to refill butane canisters with LPG since this has a high risk of explosion, especially since butane canisters are very thin and are designed to be used just once.

Authorities confiscated at least 11,000 butane canisters, 8,448 of them refilled with LPG, three bullet tanks (two 2 ton and one 4 ton capacity) and 20 pieces of 11 kg LPG cylinders.

Talisay City Licensing Office Administrative Aid Miriam Caballero said that the establishment’s operation was illegal because the city never issued a business permit to the owner.

She said that the establishment applied for a business permit for a refilling station last quarter of 2016, but the application did not state what kind of refilling station it was going to be.

During their inspection at the business site, they found no equipment, so the city did not issue a business permit.

She added that on February 8, another inspection was conducted by the city together with DOE and recommended for the immediate closure of the establishment for the safety of residents, aside from the blatant administrative violations.

The owner will be facing a penalty of imprisonment for 2-5 years plus a fine of P60,000 per violation.

Gamallo added that aside from Reales, they would also file a case against her suppliers.

The eight employees arrested were brought to CIDG-7 for processing and temporary detention.

Their statements will serve as witness accounts for filing cases against the owner.

The minors will be turned over to proper authorities for processing. (FREEMAN)