A total of 32 illegally-marketed and distributed Solane LPG cylinders were seized in Batangas City after a series of raids conducted in Barangays Cuta, and Bolboc in the last quarter of 2020.
Suspects were caught engaging in the illegal trade of Isla Petroleum Gas Corporation products that resulted in the confiscation of tanks amounting to P100,000.
Two separate raids in Barangay Cuta captured a total of 18 pieces of 11kg Solane LPG tanks, and a sum of P2,000 marked money from each operation.
Eleven cylinders, of which five were illegally refilled and six were emptied, along with marked money amounting to P1,000 were confiscated from suspects Richie Fajardo y Baguio and Beverly Jane Lacerna y Perez.
An additional seven tanks, of which six were illegally refilled and one was emptied, including marked money of P1,000, were seized from suspect Jeremy Manalo y Ilagan.
Meanwhile in Barangay Bolboc, 14 cylinders — ten illegally refilled, four emptied — and P1,000 in marked money were confiscated from suspect Dave Oliver Papilosa.
Following a series of separate raids conducted in greater Metro Manila, Isabela, Laguna, and Cebu, leading LPG brand Solane strengthens its call to LPG consumers in Batangas to only buy their LPGs from authorized sellers in the region.
Illegal activity among malicious actors remains rampant, and the company once again warns the public against putting their families’ lives in danger.
The company reiterates that only these branded stores are guaranteed to supply verified LPG products and would, at the same time, assure consumers of the safety and quality of each of its cylinders.
Persons may locate authorized Solane stores or order verified Solane products by sending a text to 0918-887-5555 or through Solane Facebook page’s chatbot (https://www.facebook.com/solane.ph).
Furthermore, Solane warns consumers of the possible risks of purchasing from sketchy locations and nameless traders, as these suppliers might be trading illegal tanks that are prone to leakages that may lead to gas explosion, poisoning, and massive fire incidents.
Amid the government and the industry’s effort to put a stop to the unlawful trade and distribution of LPGs, Solane strongly encourages consumers to always be vigilant against fake LPG retailers, to altogether help cut the demand and supply of counterfeit LPGs in the country.