Police seized approximately P1.2 million worth of illegal petroleum products during a late-night raid in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) reported Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025.

Mindoro’s CIDG operation, part of a nationwide crackdown on illegal petroleum trading, resulted in the arrest of a suspect allegedly violating Presidential Decree 1865, which amended Batas Pambansa 33 — the law prohibiting certain acts inimical to public interest and national security involving petroleum products.

According to Police Maj. Gen. Nicolas D. Torre III, CIDG director, the suspect — identified only as Rommel from Barangay Biga in Calapan City — was apprehended last Friday in Barangay Del Pilar, Naujan.

“The suspect was caught in the act of distributing and trading petroleum products without authority from the Department of Energy,” Torre said.

Authorities confiscated 21,000 liters of diesel fuel valued at precisely P1,260,000 pesos.

PD 1865 specifically prohibits “illegal trading of petroleum and/or petroleum products” and imposes penalties including imprisonment of 2-5 years and fines ranging from P20,000 to P50,000 pesos.

The law was enacted to support the government’s energy conservation policy amid international oil supply uncertainties. It aims to prevent activities contrary to “judicious usage and conservation of energy,” which the legislation describes as “inimical to public interest and national security.”

The operation was conducted following directives from Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil to strengthen efforts against economic sabotage throughout the country.

Torre urged the public to report illegal trading and activities involving petroleum products, noting that energy conservation is institutionalized as “a national way of life” to support economic and social development goals.

The case comes amid rising petroleum prices nationwide, with the Department of Energy (DOE) reporting year-to-date increases of P2.65 pesos per liter for gasoline and P4.80 pesos per liter for both diesel and kerosene as of January 28, 2025.