MAN NABBED FOR ILLEGAL SALE OF BRANDED LPG TANKS IN NUEVA ECIJA

BY KEVIN GALANG

A 48-YEAR-OLD man on Monday was arrested by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) for alleged unauthorized sale of branded liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija.

CIDG Regional Field Unit 3 chief Col. Grant Gollod identified the suspect as alias “Santi,” a resident of Bgy. Valle Cruz, Cabanatuan City.

The operation, conducted under “Oplan LIRA,” was carried out by personnel of the CIDG Nueva Ecija Provincial Field Unit, in coordination with representatives from the LPG Marketers Association Inc. (LPGMA), at Purok 4, Bgy. Valle Cruz.

The suspect was arrested after allegedly selling empty LPG cylinders bearing the registered trademarks of REGASCO and South Pacific Incorporation (SPI) to an undercover officer without authority from the brand owners.

Seized during the operation were 35 pieces of 11-kilogram empty SPI gas cylinders, five 22-kilogram empty REGASCO cylinders, one 50-kilogram empty REGASCO cylinder, two decanting hoses, the marked money consisting of one genuine P1,000 bill and boodle money, and an official receipt allegedly issued by the suspect.

The confiscated items were valued at around P56,250, police said.

The sting stemmed from formal complaints filed by LPGMA and Republic Gas Corporation regarding the rampant unauthorized sale of branded LPG cylinders, which allegedly posed risks to consumers and created unfair market competition.

The suspect was brought to the CIDG Nueva Ecija PFU office for booking and documentation and will be charged with violation of Republic Act No. 8293 covering trademark infringement and unfair competition, as well as violation of Republic Act No. 623 as amended by Republic Act No. 5700.