2 ‘gas-and-run’ suspects arrested

MANILA, Philippines — Police apprehended two people who fled from a gas station in Quezon City without paying P1,500 worth of fuel on Monday.

The suspects, identified only as Tyron and Ricky, were arrested in Rodriguez, Rizal by operatives of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD).

Metro Manila police director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin said authorities had been tracking down the driver of a white Toyota Vios (NCN-1145) who sped off after refueling at a gas station at the corner of Payatas Road and Empire street in Barangay Payatas.

The incident had gone viral after closed-circuit television footage of the “gas-and-run” was posted on social media.

QCPD director Brig. Gen. Randy Glenn Silvio said police found the vehicle’s registered owner after checking with the Land Transportation Office.

The owner, however, said he sold the car to a certain Christian in 2021.

When police met with Christian in Taguig, he said he had lent the vehicle to Tyron.

Police said Tyron was arrested for a case of serious physical injury at a gas station in Barangay Balite in Rodriguez in February 2017. Ricky has no criminal record.

Tyron and Ricky are facing cases of estafa before the Quezon City prosecutor’s office.

A police manhunt is underway for a third suspect identified as Lloyd Santos Araneta.

Unregulated fuel

In Caloocan, criminal cases have been filed against six people who were arrested over unregulated petroleum products worth P8.94 million.

The police Highway Patrol Group (HPG) filed charges against the suspects for violating Batas Pambansa 33 as amended by Presidential Decree 1865, which penalizes illegal trading, adulteration, under-delivery and hoarding of petroleum products.

HPG director Brig. Gen. Rommel Batangan said the suspects were nabbed on April 16 at a makeshift garage along C3 Road while transferring petroleum products from a fuel tanker to multiple steel cage tanks.

Police seized around 20,000 liters of methanol, unleaded gasoline, premium gasoline and diesel as well as fuel hoses and a pump.