MANILA — The Philippine National Police has stepped up nationwide monitoring of so-called “gas-and-run” incidents, coordinating with local police units and business establishments to prevent further cases.

PNP chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said recent incidents, including those reported in Metro Manila, remain “isolated” but are being closely studied.

“While we treat these as isolated cases for now, we are not letting our guard down. We are analyzing the patterns to ensure this doesn’t evolve into a common modus operandi,” he said.

On April 21, police arrested two suspects linked to a gas-and-run incident in Barangay Payatas, Quezon City. Authorities said the incident happened around 3:10 a.m. on April 20, when a motorist driving a white Toyota Vios allegedly pumped PHP1,500 worth of fuel and fled toward Barangay Commonwealth without paying.

The case is the second reported in Metro Manila within a month. On March 22, a 27-year-old transport network vehicle service driver surrendered after allegedly fleeing a Balintawak gas station in Quezon City with PHP5,196 worth of unpaid fuel.

Nartatez ordered police units nationwide to increase visibility in high-risk and 24-hour establishments and to coordinate with private operators to improve CCTV coverage and real-time reporting.

“We are making our presence felt to deter would-be criminals,” he said.

In a press briefing on Friday, PNP spokesperson Randulf Tuaño said 77 individuals have been arrested in connection with various fuel-related offenses as of Thursday, including hoarding and profiteering.

He reported nine cases of hoarding, one case of profiteering, and 21 other violations, including “paihi,” an illegal fuel pilferage scheme.

Based on PNP monitoring, 287 out of 14,529 gas stations nationwide remained closed as of April 23 due to supply constraints linked to tensions in the Middle East.