Party-list group, CIDG to address LPG pilferage

MANILA, Philippines - The party-list group Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers Association (LPGMA) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) will join forces to aggressively address the problem on rampant pilferage of LPG in the Metro Manila and in other parts of the country.

In a statement sent to The STAR, Rep. Arnel Ty said the LPGMA and the CIDG have agreed to work hand in hand to identify syndicates and arrest their members who are involved in the pilferage of LPG and selling of underweight LPG tanks to unsuspecting consumers.

He also cleared Senior Superintendent Rhodel Sermonia of allegations that he intervened in raids on illegal LPG traders last month. Ty had filed a complaint against Sermonia and asked that he be relieved pending an investigation.

He said the allegations against Sermonia, chief of the CIDG’s Administrative and Resource Management Division, were an offshoot of wrong information given to him by his informant.

“I believe that… Sermonia should be restored to his former unit, the CIDG,” Ty said.

He also said the LPGMA and the CIDG will jointly investigate the persons behind the threat to his life.