Authorities investigate alleged illegal fuel trading; shipment reportedly originated from Zamboanga City
LAMITAN CITY, Basilan — Police seized approximately 9,300 liters of petroleum products loaded onto two vehicles during an early-morning operation in Barangay Calugusan, Lamitan City, on October 29, as authorities investigated a possible violation of laws regulating the trade of petroleum products.
The operation was conducted at around 4 a.m. by the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit of the Basilan Police Provincial Office (PDEU-BPPO), in coordination with the Lamitan City Police Station (LCPS) and the 1403rd Regional Mobile Force Company under Regional Mobile Force Battalion 14-B.
The operation was led by PCPT Rembrandt Von G. Mendoza of PDEU-BPPO and PCPT Joshua P. Uduna of LCPS, under the supervision of PLTCOL Joel C. Tuttuh, chief of police.
Police recovered the petroleum products from a green Toyota Tamaraw passenger vehicle and a gray Isuzu Elf mini truck intercepted in the area.
The Toyota Tamaraw, bearing plate number JVF 388, contained 190 containers with 30 liters each, accounting for approximately 5,700 liters of petroleum products.
The gray Isuzu Elf mini truck, bearing plate number JAL 2109, was carrying three 200-liter drums and 100 containers with 30 liters each, for an estimated total of 3,600 liters.
Combined, the two vehicles were transporting approximately 9,300 liters of petroleum products when intercepted by authorities.
Shipment reportedly came from Zamboanga City
Initial police investigation identified Hji Mohammad B. Ahlam, a businessman and resident of Tipo-Tipo, Basilan, as the reported owner of the petroleum products.
Authorities said the shipment reportedly originated from Zamboanga City and was transported by a motorized boat locally known as a jungkong. The products were allegedly unloaded from the boat before being transferred to the two vehicles.
Police also examined documents presented in connection with the shipment, including Sales Order No. 1721, dated October 28, 2026, issued by BGS Station in Zamboanga City. The document indicated a purchase valued at ₱952,210.
A fuel purchase certification from TEN Gas Station in Zamboanga City was also presented, along with a business permit covering the retail sale of liquefied petroleum gas and other fuel products in Sumisip, Basilan.
However, authorities said the validity and sufficiency of the submitted documents, including the current status of the business permit, remain subject to verification.
The presentation of purchase documents and a business permit does not, by itself, establish whether the shipment complied with all applicable requirements governing the transport, possession and sale of petroleum products.
Investigation focuses on alleged illegal trading
The incident was recorded under Blotter Entry No. 2026-10-0485 and is being investigated for a possible violation of Batas Pambansa Blg. 33, as amended by Presidential Decree No. 1865, which addresses the illegal trading of petroleum and petroleum products.
The two vehicles and the petroleum products were placed under the custody of the Lamitan City Police Station for documentation, inventory and appropriate disposition while investigators verify the submitted documents and determine compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
The seizure forms part of law enforcement efforts to address suspected irregularities in the petroleum trade. However, the circumstances surrounding the shipment, the sufficiency of its documentation and any potential liability remain subject to the ongoing investigation.
As of the information provided, authorities had not announced a final determination regarding the legality of the shipment or any formal charges arising from the operation. The reported owner should not be considered guilty of an offense solely on the basis of the seizure or ongoing investigation.