LIQUEFIED petroleum gas (LPG) supplier Solane said it confiscated a total of 1,024 counterfeit LPG tanks worth P2.66 million last year.
For the second half of the year, Solane confiscated 585 fake LPG tanks worth nearly P1 million. This is “on top of the seized items from more than 50 areas in the country during the first half of the year,” the company said last Wednesday.
Solane said it conducted several raid operations in the following areas: Antipolo, Rizal; Penarrubia, Bangued, and North Bucay in Abra; Vigan, Ilocos Sur; Santo Domingo, Ilocos Norte; Pili and San Jose in Camarines Sur; and, Cabarroguis and Saguday in Quirino. All captured items were brought to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of each local government unit for documentation and proper disposition for filing of appropriate case in court.
“While the passage of the LPG Law in October last year reinforces the government’s campaign against illegal sources of LPGs, Solane’s busts throughout the year helped put suspects behind bars and immediately halt unauthorized trades in communities they busted,” it said in a statement.
Republic Act 11592 is intended to regulate the LPG industry to ensure that all unsafe gas cylinders are disposed of and new ones are safe.
Solane reminded consumers to verify their LPG tanks since fake, dilapidated and substandard LPG cylinders have the risk of gas leaks that may lead to massive fire or LPG explosion.