MANILA – The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested four individuals, including a Chinese national, and confiscated around ₱15.1 million worth of suspected illegal petroleum products and smuggled cigarettes in separate operations in Batangas and Quezon provinces.

CIDG Director Maj. Gen. Robert Morico said Thursday that operatives from CIDG-Batangas nabbed three Filipino suspects, identified only as Ed, Sam, and Sid, during a late-night operation at a gasoline station along Balete Road, Barangay Balagtas, Batangas City, around 11:50 p.m. on Monday.

The trio was apprehended for allegedly engaging in the illegal trading and distribution of petroleum products, locally referred to as “paihi,” a scheme used to evade taxes and duties.

Authorities seized two tanker trucks loaded with 26,000 liters of diesel, 10,000 liters of unleaded gasoline, and 4,000 liters of premium gasoline—amounting to an estimated ₱9.14 million.

Charges will be filed against the suspects for violating Presidential Decree 1865, which penalizes the illegal trading and distribution of petroleum products.

In a separate operation in Lucena City, Quezon, CIDG operatives arrested a Chinese national for possession of an estimated ₱6.04 million worth of assorted cigarettes believed to have been smuggled into the country.

Recovered from the suspect’s warehouse were 95 master cases of various cigarette brands, including Marlboro, Marshal, H&P, Carnival, Cannon, Xplore Blue Modern American Blend, Modern King, HP, Fortune, Chesterfield, Champion, and Mighty.

Morico said the foreign national will face multiple charges for violating Republic Act (RA) 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, RA 10643 or the Graphic Health Warnings Law, RA 9211 or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, and RA 8424 or the National Internal Revenue Code.