COPS ARREST 18 MEN OVER ‘PATULO’ MODUS IN PAMPANGA

BY KEVIN GALANG

POLICE on Friday arrested 18 men after a fuel tanker was found emptied and abandoned on the highway in Bgy. San Antonio, Guagua, Pampanga.

In a report to Police Regional Office 3 director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan, Pampanga police  director Col. Jay Dimaandal identified those arrested as Niño Mariano of Hermosa, Bataan;  Reywin Bautista of Guagua, Pampanga;  Gerald Bagang of Lubao, Pampanga; Manuelito Ortega of Hermosa, Bataan; Nelson Bandiola of Cabiao, Nueva Ecija; Ronjovi Tala of Hermosa, Bataan; Sernan Jorge of Hermosa, Bataan; Arnold Fernandez of Hermosa, Bataan; Jonathan Tolentino of Hermosa, Bataan; Ryan Vitug of Lubao, Pampanga;  Alvin Llemit of Imus, Cavite; Joan Rojo of Davao City;  Ascar Jr. Cerato of Novaliches, Quezon City; Elmer Catubig of Meycauayan, Bulacan;  Rizaldy Coringao of San Miguel, Bulacan; Rommel dela Cruz of Hermosa, Bataan; Ryan Pelayo of Hermosa, Bataan; and Anthony Medalla of Hermosa, Bataan.

Complainant Hero Lacap of Bacolor, Pampanga and area manager of ENP Fuel Trading owned by Nestor Nadela Ganados Jr. informed the police that the fuel tanker with plate number JAO 2872  driven by company driver Luciano Romasasa was found abandoned and emptied of its load of 50,000 liters of diesel valued at P2.35 million. 

Lacap said the fuel tanker was discovered unattended on JASA Road in Bgy. San Antonio, Guagua, Pampanga.

A follow-up investigation and review of the CCTV footage led operatives to a vacant lot with a steel-roofed fence. 

Upon inspection, operatives discovered a truck with plate number NDD 6453 siphoning diesel or doing  “patulo.”

Authorities arrested the suspects who were in the area.

Also  found in the place were five tanker trucks loaded with an undetermined volume of diesel and a multicab vehicle with plate number YDF379 containing 24 containers of gasoline.

The arrested suspects are now in the custody of the Guagua police for filing of appropriate charges.