Woman nabbed for selling bottled petrol

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A woman was arrested for allegedly selling petroleum products in unauthorized containers.

Maria Cherry Sumodio, 37, was arrested at her place in Barangay Asisig, San Enrique, Iloilo at around 3:30 p.m. of July 21, 2021.

Members of San Enrique Police Station and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-San Enrique Station collared Sumodio after she allegedly failed to present permits/documents authorizing her to sell petroleum products in containers that are deemed unsafe.

Recovered from her possession was the P200 marked money, 12 soft drink bottles filled with gasoline placed inside a Coca-Cola case, 10 empty soft drink bottles, a hose, and a plastic funnel.

The suspect would be charged for violation of Presidential Decree 1865.

The law prohibits the illegal trading in petroleum and/or petroleum products; adulteration of finished petroleum products, or possession of adulterated finished products for the purpose of sale, distribution, transportation, exchange or barter and underdelivery or underfiling beyond authorized limits in the sale of petroleum products or possession of underfilled liquefied petroleum gas cylinder for the purpose of sale, distribution, transportation, exchange or barter, among others.

The DOE has been constantly reminding the public on the dangers that “bote-bote” or bottled petroleum products may cause to lives and properties.

The reminder came on the heels of the rampant proliferation of illegal sale of liquid fuels like gasoline and diesel placed in soft drink bottles

The DOE has reiterated that “peddling of liquid fuels in any container, such as, soda bottles, plastic bottles, jugs and other similar portable containers are strictly prohibited,” which is stipulated under the existing Department Circular No. DC2003-11-010 also known as the Retail Rules.”

The improper handling of liquid fuels may also lead to accidental fire, illnesses due to inhalation of hazardous fumes, and undesirable effects to the environment.

The DOE noted that liquid fuels are highly combustible and flammable products, and therefore require proper storage and handling as provided under the Fire Code of the Philippines.