NBI previously raided warehouse hit by fire

CEBU, Philippines — The diesel fuel storage facility in Barangay Carreta, Cebu City, that caught fire on January 18, 2025, had been the subject of a National Bureau of Investigation-Cebu Division Office (NBI-CEBDO) raid two years ago.

NBI-CEBDO head agent Arnel Pura confirmed via text message that the agency conducted a buy-bust operation at the facility on July 26, 2022, and subsequently filed a case against its operator.

Agent-on-case Bienvenido C. Panical revealed in an exclusive interview that the operation targeted an illegal fuel resale activity known locally as “paihi.”

The scheme involved tanker drivers discreetly siphoning 50 to 100 liters of fuel from company tankers and selling it at lower prices without authorization.

“Yung mga tanker na nag moonlighting, nagbebenta sila ng mga krudo ng patingi-tingi, yung mga panakaw ba,” Panical explained.

Panical noted that the facility lacked essential safety measures and was operating without a permit from the Department of Energy (DOE).

“Isa yun sa nakita namin kung bakit talaga na apprehend yung mga nag-operate sa area na yan dahil nga very risky lalong-lalo na malapit sa mall, may kabahayan sa paligid,” he added.

The DOE confirmed that the storage facility had no permit to store diesel or gasoline at the location, violating safety regulations stipulated in the Fire Code of the Philippines. These regulations require fuel storage areas to be constructed with fire-resistant materials and equipped with self-closing fire doors or automatic fire suppression systems.

The 2022 buy-bust operation led to the arrest of three individuals: Antonio Cellar Jr., Diether Tagalog, and John Sumalinog. However, the alleged mastermind, identified only as “Yen-Yen,” evaded capture and remains at large.

While legal charges were filed and the operator was convicted, Panical noted that penalties for such offenses are relatively low and bailable.

According to a Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) report, the same individual referred to as “Yen-Yen” was identified as the property owner, while listed occupants included an individual named RJ and others.

On January 18, 2025, the storage facility was engulfed in a massive blaze that caused an estimated P3.8 million in property damage. The fire erupted at around 9:09 PM and was declared under control by 11:31 PM.

The flames quickly spread to nearby residential areas, displacing 48 individuals and damaging several businesses and homes along General Maxilom Avenue Extension. Guests staying at a nearby condotel had to be evacuated due to the thick smoke. — /FPL (FREEMAN)