NBI intensifies crackdown on illegal LPG refilling business

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said it will continue its nationwide crackdown on the illegal liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) refilling business amid reports of mounting fires and accidents due to explosions involving cylinders peddled by this sector.

NBI anti-organized crime task force chief Ferdinand Lavin said the incidence of illegal LPG cylinder-related accidents have increased over the past years. He said records from the Fire Safety Enforcement Division of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) show that there were 206 fire incidents last year traced to illegal LPG cylinders. There were 268 similar incidents in 2000.

For the current year, 49 fires were traced to the explosion of these products during the first three months alone.

Recently, the NBI conducted a series of raids on several business establishments in Pasig City and Malabon suspected of illegally refilling LPG cylinders. Close to P1 million in refilling equipment and cylinders were confiscated by NBI agents from two operators which were raided on the basis of a warrant issued by RTC Judge Nemesio Felix, the NBI said.

Lavin expressed concern over investigation results which tended to show that LPG cylinders sold by unauthorized refillers "usually do not have the safety features that the authorized products have." Among these is the safety seal. Lavin also noted that unauthorized products tend to be dilapidated and rusty.

The condition of the LPG cylinders distributed and sold by unauthorized refillers is a real threat to the safety of households and business establishments, Lavin said.

Lavin earlier warned that the NBI would prosecute establishments suspected of engaging in the illegal refilling business. He said a suspect had already been convicted by Judge Alfredo Flores for engaging in this trade.

Lavin also warned that the government had already increased penalties for violations pertaining to the unauthorized refilling and sale of LPG cylinders.