The Bureau of Customs-Port of Tacloban in coordination with SGS representatives, intercepted 1,900 liters of kerosene fuel last December 13, 2022 in one of the gas station in Cabalawan, Tacloban City.

Armed with Letter of Authority and Mission Order signed by Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz, Enforcement Security Service (ESS) and Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) of the port, led the inspection and examination of the kerosene.

The SGS Fuel Marking employees took samples of the kerosene to test for the presence of fuel marker, a chemical unique marker used for petroleum products to ensure that duties and taxes have been paid.

The test yielded an initial result of 0% of presence fuel marker and was forwarded and retested at the Cebu port for confirmation. Confirmatory laboratory tests confirmed the absence of fuel marker.

The sampling of the kerosene was witnessed by the Bureau of Customs (BOC), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Barangay Chairman of Cabalawan, and the owner of the gas station.

The fuel is now a subject of a Warrant of Seizure and Detention and under the custody of the BOC-Port of Tacloban for prosecution procedure.

In line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s 10-point agenda for fiscal discipline to improve efficiency and collection of taxes by the BIR and BOC, and with the guidance of the Commissioner Yogi Felimon Ruiz, the Port is committed to eliminate illicit trade and strengthen border control.

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