The Philippine National Police has intensified its crackdown on the illegal petroleum trade following the seizure of a tugboat and diesel fuel with a combined estimated value of more than ₱62.2 million in Batangas waters.
The operation, conducted from the evening of July 9 until July 10, 2026, was carried out jointly by personnel from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Regional Field Unit 4A, the CIDG Batangas Provincial Field Unit, and the Batangas Maritime Police Station.
Seven Filipino suspects, all of legal age, were arrested for their alleged involvement in the unauthorized retail sale of petroleum products.
Authorities recovered a tugboat carrying approximately 31,199 liters of diesel fuel, five plastic containers containing diesel, and the marked money used in the operation.
The tugboat and seized petroleum products had a total estimated market value of ₱62,294,027.00.
The suspects and the recovered evidence were brought into the custody of CIDG RFU4A for proper documentation and the filing of appropriate charges. The tugboat, meanwhile, remains in the custody of the Batangas Maritime Police Station.