2 BUTANE CANISTER REFILLERS ARRESTED

Confiscated equipment used in the refilling station costs almost P1 million, Lapu-Lapu police say

Two persons working in an allegedly illegal butane refilling station were arrested in Barangay Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City.

The City Mobile Force Company (CMFC) of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office conducted the operation in Sitio Casanta at 4:30 p.m. last Friday.

Police Supt. Dexter Calacar, chief of CMFC, said their office received a call from a concerned citizen that an illegal butane refilling station was operating in that area.

The operation was in line with City Ordinance 13-194-2016, also known as the LPG-refilled Butane Ordinance of 2015.

During the operation, Calacar’s team arrested Bienvenido Sohitado Jr., 30, who reportedly owns the butane refilling station; and Bernino Paquibot, 25, the caretaker.

A certain Ricky Commendador escaped when the operation was conducted.

Authorities confiscated 58 tanks of 50-kilogram liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), six tanks of 12.9-kilogram LPG tanks, 130 weighing scales, 548 LPG-refilled butane canisters, and 4,572 empty butane canisters.

CMFC personnel also confiscated a motorcycle and other equipment.

Calacar said the confiscated items used in the refilling station cost almost P1 million.

The suspects were detained in Lapu-Lapu City Police Office holding cell pending the filing of charges against them.