Provincial

CIDG ARRESTS MAN FOR ILLEGAL LPG TRADING IN NUEVA ECIJA

admin April 13, 2026

BY KEVIN GALANG

RIZAL, Nueva Ecija – Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested a man for illegal sale of LPG cylinders in Bgy. Poblacion West, this town.

CIDG Regional Field Unit 3 chief Col. Grant Gollod said suspect alias “Bay,” a resident of the area, was caught while selling LPG cylinders bearing registered brand trademarks without proper permits from the respective owners.

The suspect was arrested following an operation on Quezon Street by members of the CIDG Nueva Ecija Provincial Field Unit as the lead unit, in coordination with a private law firm.

Alias “Bay” was nabbed under “OPLAN LIRA” drive — one of the CIDG’s flagship programs targeting illegal activities involving petroleum products.

Seized were multiple LPG cylinders in varying sizes and conditions, including filled and empty units bearing the Fiesta Gas and Petron Gasul brands, as well as refilling equipment, an improvised decanting device, dozens of empty canisters, and marked buy-bust money, with a total estimated value at P94,700.

According to Gollod, the operation stemmed from a formal complaint filed by a legal representative of Petron Corporation, citing the proliferation of illegally traded LPG cylinders bearing the company’s brand name.

The complaint alleged that the unauthorized sale of branded LPG containers not only violates intellectual property and trade laws but also poses serious risks to public safety and fair market competition.

The arrested suspect was brought to the CIDG Nueva Ecija office for booking and documentation and will be charged with violations of Republic Act 8293 (Intellectual Property Code), Republic Act 11592 (LPG Industry Regulation Act), and Batas Pambansa Blg. 33, as amended by Presidential Decree No. 1865, which penalizes illegal trading of petroleum products.

Gollod reiterated the CIDG’s commitment to intensifying operations against the illegal LPG trade, warning that such activities endanger consumers and undermine legitimate businesses.