Public warned of illegal LPG-refilled canisters

The Department of Energy has warned the public on the emergence of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)-refilled butane canisters sold in the provincial markets following the recent arrest of three people in Barangay T. Padilla, Cebu City.

DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi said his department is mandated by law to ensure the safety of the public by monitoring the quality and quantity of LPG sold in the market.

Cusi said that conducting buy-bust operations in partnership with the police is part of their continuing efforts to eliminate LPG-refilled butane canisters. He asked the public to stop patronizing the illegal product.

“LPG-refilled butane canisters are extremely dangerous, especially since butane canisters should only be used once. Refilling these tin canisters with LPG could cause fire and also greatly endangers the lives of our consumers,” Cusi said.

Cusi noted that a number of fire incidents caused by a leaking canister refilled with LPG had been reported already. He commended the DOEVisayas Field Office, the province of Cebu, particularly the cities of LapuLapu and Mandaue, as well as the local police for enforcing the laws that protect the public against illegal practices in the LPG industry.

Earlier, three individuals selling LPG-refilled canisters were arrested by the operatives of Parian Police Station in Cebu City.

The suspects, Ramir Amaca, Romeo Apparece and Romeo Cuevas, are already facing criminal complaints before the city prosecutor’s office for violating Batas Pambansa 33, as amended by Presidential Decree 1865.

The arrest of the three suspects became controversial after Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña took their custody from the police. The police also filed criminal and administrative complaints against Osmeña before the Office of the Ombudsman.

According to the DOE, there were already more than 30 individuals arrested in Cebu for trading LPG-refilled butane canisters.

The proliferation of this illegal practice is becoming even more pronounced given that 63,055 LPGrefilled and 150,821 empty butane canisters were confiscated in Cebu from early 2017 until August 2018.

The DOE is also urging local government units and their officials to stop the illegal activity within their respective jurisdiction.

The DOE also encouraged PNP members to intensify the campaign against illegal traders of energy products.