PHILSTAR FILE PHOTOTHE Bureau of Customs (BoC) on Tuesday said it seized P3.25 million worth of unmarked fuel and a tank truck from two gasoline stations in the Bicol Region.
In a statement on Tuesday, Customs said authorities confiscated 31 liters of gasoline and diesel worth P1.75 million, along with a fuel truck valued at P1.5 million, bringing the estimated total confiscated assets to P3.25 million.
The BoC conducts random field tests of retail stations and tank trucks to verify compliance with fuel sold to the public under the Fuel Marking Program.
On Nov. 26, the agency reported that over P1 trillion in taxes have been collected in the program since it began in 2019.
“The identification and seizure of non-compliant fuel highlights our proactive stance against illegal fuel sales and tax evasion. We urge all fuel station operators to strictly adhere to regulatory standards to avoid severe consequence,” District Collector Guillermo Pedro Francia IV said.
In a separate statement, the BoC also reported that it seized undeclared currency consisting of 3.95 million Japanese yen, 20,000 euros, and 8,500 Kuwaiti dinar from a departing passenger at NAIA Terminal 1 on Feb. 21. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante
