This photo from the Bureau of Customs shows a truck that contains unmarked diesel fuel which was intercepted by its agents in the Port of Limay at Seafront Shipyard and Port Terminal Services Corporation in Barangay Lucanin, Mariveles, Bataan on May 21, 2023.
MANILA, Philippines — A lorry truck and a trailer containing a total of 40,000 liters of unmarked diesel fuel were seized by the Bureau of Customs-Port of Limay (BOC) on May 21 at Seafront Shipyard and Port Terminal Services Corporation in Barangay Lucanin, Mariveles, Bataan.
According to the BOC, the intercepted fuel with an estimated value of P12.5 million was meant for loading to two vessels that were undergoing repair in the shipyard: Meridian Cinco and MV Seaborne Cargo 7.
The BOC also said in a statement Saturday that the fuel originated from Cabtuan, Isabela, citing documents.
The seized diesel was subjected to fuel marking tests, and based on testing and certification company Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS), the fuel contained 0% of a fuel marker, the BOC noted.
This prompted District Collector Alexandra Lumontad to issue a warrant of seizure and detention against the truck and trailer for violations of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
BOC defines “fuel marking” as the addition of an official fuel marker to petroleum products that are refined, manufactured, or imported into the Philippines – unleaded and premium gasoline, kerosene, diesel, and others – after the taxes and duties have been paid.
The government uses fuel marking to quash the smuggling of petroleum products and to increase the revenue collection of the BOC and the Bureau of Internal Revenue from taxable imported and locally refined petroleum products.
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