LPG refilling business busted; operator faces raps

Refillable liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) worth P15 million, including equipment and gas tanks, were seized from a compound at the South Road Properties (SRP) late afternoon Tuesday.

The items were seized when elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) - 7 served a search warrant against a certain Marc Masangkay for operating an LPG refilling business, which is illegal.

Masangkay was not at the compound when the warrant was served.

"There was a report coming from our Department of Energy (DOE) so vina-lidate namin… nag-conduct tayo ng surveillance at saka ito," said CIDG-7 spokesperson, Senior Insp. Edwin Lacostales.

“Nakumpis ka natin yung mga tanks at mga sasakyan na ginamit nila… ang naabutan natin ay yung mga caretakers, hindi subject ng search warrant ang caretaker kaya pinaalis na lang," he added.

Lacostales said Masangkay is a "major" supplier in the butane business.

"Nagre-refill sila ng tank, yung mga unlicensed, unauthorized. Yung mga LPG na ito, ito din yung ginagamit sa butane kaya siguro malaki ito," he said.

"Dati, yung mga butane lang niri-raid natin pero ngayon, ito na yung pinagkukuhanan nila," he added.

He said two-week surveillance revealed that the business has reached the neighboring islands of Negros and Bohol.

"Sa ngayon, medyo malawak kasi makaki ang sinu-supply… may report na umaabot sa Bohol at Negros Oriental," Lacostales said.

One of those present at the compound was Romeo Beri, a truck driver who said he was meant to deliver the good to Naga City.

"Dili mi trabahante. Giarkila ra mi sa tag-iya diri pero wa mi kahibalo nga illegal diay. Karon pa ko kasud diri. Natingala na lang ko naa na'y pulis," Beri said.

Among the items confiscated were 253 empty 22-kilogram LPG tanks; 39 empty 50-kilogram LPG tanks; two 22-kilogram filled LPG tank; three closed vans; a mini dump truck; a bullet tank with piping of approximately eight tons; a tank lorry; an LPG dispenser; two LPG product pumps; and a logbook containing records of sale.

The items will be presented in court and will b eturned over to the DOE for proper disposal.

Masangkay is facing charges for violating Presidential Decree 1865 in relation to Department of Energy 2014-01-001 or LPG Industrial Rules.