Mimaropa police arrest 8 for illegal LPG sale in Romblon

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — Police in Mimaropa arrested eight individuals and recovered dozens of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders in coordinated entrapment operations targeting alleged unauthorized trading, distribution, and counterfeiting of Petron-branded LPG products across Romblon province on Sept. 12.

The crackdown was carried out by the municipal police in the towns of Romblon, Looc, Odiongan, and San Agustin, working alongside Petron Corporation brand protection representatives and authorized partners. 

Two separate entrapment operations at Barangays Bagacay and Macalas in the municipality of Romblon led to the arrest of two female cashiers allegedly caught selling Petron Gasul LPG cylinders without the required authority from the company. 

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Three 11-kilogram cylinders were recovered in Bagacay, while seven—including one used in the test-buy—were seized in Macalas. 

In Odiongan, a 34-year-old gas station employee was arrested in Barangay Tumingad following reports of unlawful possession and use of counterfeit Petron Gasul cylinders bearing fake markings and seals. 

Two more suspects were taken into custody in Looc, at Velco Marketing along Rizal Street in Barangay Poblacion, where a Petron brand protection agent served as undercover buyer. 

Authorities recovered nine cylinders from the site, including both Petron Gasul and Fiesta LPG units. 

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Two operations in San Agustin yielded further arrests: a caretaker and a cashier were nabbed at Velco Gas Station in Sitio Dakit-Dakit, Barangay Cagbo-aya, after an undercover officer bought an 11-kilogram Petron Gasul cylinder without a Petron valve seal for ₱1,450. Thirteen cylinders were recovered in that operation alone. 

A separate entrapment in Barangay Cabolutan resulted in the arrest of a 32-year-old dealer, with four cylinders seized in total. 

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Those arrested face violations of Republic Act No. 8293 (Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines), Republic Act No. 11592 (LPG Industry Regulation Act), and Batas Pambansa Blg. 33 as amended by Presidential Decree No. 1865. 

“People buy LPG because they need a product they can trust in their homes and businesses, and legitimate dealers also deserve a fair market where the rules apply to everyone,” said Police Regional Director Brigadier Gen. Christopher dela Cruz in a statement. /das