Koronadal PNP, BFP agents seize roadside petroleum products

KORONADAL CITY-- Authorities here seized more than 560 liters of gasoline and diesel fuel following an intensified drive to eradicate roadside gas stations that had been proliferating the city, DXOM-AM Radyo Bida reported.Local officials here are alarmed by the mushrooming of gasoline in bottles for sale along city streets and thoroughfares.Elements of Bureau of Fire Protection, Koronadal City PNP and Highway Patrol Group raided several makeshift gas stations in Barangay Concepcion, Koronadal City Thursday morning.Cyrus Urbano, Koronadal City administrator, said the gasoline and diesel fuel were contained in soft drink bottles and sold at roadsides which is very dangerous to the public.He said the supplies were owned by a certain Harold Burling, resident of Barangay New Iloilo, Tantangan, South Cotabato.Urbano said the seized petroleum products are now under the safekeeping of the local government unit.Earlier, police and fire officials seized more than 600 liters of petroleum products from several roadside gas stations in Barangay Gen. Paulino Santos Avenue, Koronadal City.In compliance of Executive Order No. 19, police and fire officials first warned fuel vendors to cease and do away with the business since it puts the public in real danger.BFP officials have invited the gas vendors to a seminar where they were taught on the dangers of selling gasoline and other petroleum products at the roadsides.Mayor Peter Miguel of Koronadal also reminded the public and the motorists not to patronize the roadside gas stores because it may affect the engine performance of their vehicles.Police and local officials here learned that petroleum products sold at makeshift gas stations are illegally shipped to Mindanao via the so called southern backdoor.