CIDG nabs alleged members of ‘paihi’ gang in Malabon

MANILA, Philippines — Alleged members of an illegal smuggling and trading of fuel group, also known as the ‘paihi’ gang, were arrested following a buy-bust operation in Brgy. Concepcion, Malabon City.

Col. John Guiagui, chief of the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), said on Friday, July 10, that the four individuals were arrested on Thursday evening.

He added that the operation resulted in the confiscation of two tugboats carrying more than 100,000 liters of diesel products, with an estimated value of P20 million.

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READ: MMDA men in ‘paihi’ fuel theft; boss pissed

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“If you recall, we previously conducted an operation against “paihi”—the illegal smuggling or siphoning of petroleum products. A follow-up operation was carried out last night, resulting in four arrests and the confiscation of two tugboats containing over 100,000 liters of diesel, valued at approximately 20 million pesos,” Guiagui reported.

Among those retrieved were three containers containing more or less 50 liters of diesel petroleum, an improvised plastic funnel, one submersible pump, two suction hoses, and buy-bust money, with a total estimated value of more than P15 million, according to the CIDG.

Guiagui explained that the group, after illegally siphoning oil products at sea, distributed the smuggled fuel from Malabon and Navotas to consumers at a lower price.

“These tugboats will collect the fuel out at sea and transport it to Malabon (and) Navotas areas, where tankers are waiting. They will fill up those tankers, and the tankers will then distribute the fuel at a lower price,” Guiagui explained.

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The group was taken into police custody for violating Presidential Decree No. 1865, which pertains to the illegal trading of petroleum products.

Guiagui said that the CIDG will be coordinating with the maritime unit to locate the main source of the group’s petroleum products.

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“We’ll be coordinating with the Philippine maritime to assist us in where they source these petroleum products,”Guiagui said. /mr

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