By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The driver of the vehicle allegedly involved in a gas-and-run incident in Quezon City over the weekend surrendered to authorities on Wednesday night.
Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said the suspect, identified only as alias “Michael,” 39, apologized to the pump attendant he had evaded and paid PHP1,500 for the fuel.
Citing Michael’s statement upon surrender, Tuaño told reporters the suspect mistakenly believed he had already paid for the fuel through his credit card. However, the pump attendant said Michael had not given any credit card.
Tuaño said Michael will face an estafa case.
The May 3 incident was the third gas-and-run case reported in Quezon City after a transport network vehicle service driver fled with PHP5,000 worth of unpaid fuel from a gas station in Barangay Apolonio Samson in March, and a group of three individuals escaped with PHP1,500 worth of unpaid fuel from another gas station in Barangay Payatas in April.
Meanwhile, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) operatives arrested three individuals and seized PHP3.79 million worth of illegal petroleum products during operations in Corcuera, Romblon, earlier this week
In a statement, CIDG chief Maj. Gen. Robert Morico II said the suspects were caught transporting petroleum products and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) without the necessary license and permit from the Department of Energy (DOE).
The suspects also failed to present authorization from LPG brand owners allowing them to refill cylinders, rendering the entire operation illegal.
Seized from the suspects were 153 cylinders filled with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), 145 containers filled with petroleum products, including unleaded gasoline, one motorized banca, and one motorized “batil” (a heavy, wooden-hulled cargo vessel) used to transport the products. (PNA)
