Police arrested four individuals and seized an estimated 10,000 liters of petroleum products worth PHP879,000 during an operation against alleged unauthorized fuel sales in Magalang, Pampanga, on October 9, 2026.
CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — Police arrested four individuals and seized an estimated PHP879,000 worth of petroleum products during an operation against the alleged unauthorized sale of fuel in Magalang, Pampanga, on October 9.
The Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) said personnel of the Regional Special Operations Group of the Regional Intelligence Division 3, in coordination with the Magalang Municipal Police Station and Pampanga Police Provincial Office, conducted the operation at a gasoline station along Ninoy Aquino Road in Barangay San Roque from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The four arrested individuals, consisting of three pump attendants and a cashier, were allegedly caught selling petroleum products without the required authorization from the Department of Energy (DOE). The establishment’s owner, who was not present during the operation, was also identified as a subject of the investigation.
Authorities seized two fuel dispensers containing an estimated 10,000 liters of petroleum products valued at PHP879,000. They also recovered sales invoices, PHP1,000 in marked money used in a test-buy operation, and PHP25,507 in cash believed to be proceeds from fuel sales.
The suspects were taken into police custody for documentation and appropriate legal proceedings in connection with alleged violations of Batas Pambansa Blg. 33, as amended by Presidential Decree No. 1865, which penalizes certain prohibited acts involving petroleum products.
PRO3 director Police Brig. Gen. Jess B. Mendez said the operation forms part of the police force’s continuing campaign against illegal commercial activities that could compromise consumer protection and public safety.
He urged the public to report suspected illegal fuel-selling activities to the nearest police station or through the Unified 911 emergency response system.
The PRO3 said it would continue coordinating with regulatory agencies and local authorities to enforce laws governing the sale and distribution of petroleum products in Central Luzon. (Jason de Asis)