4 nabbed in alleged crude oil smuggle try in Cagayan de Oro

Police over the weekend intercepted some 31 drums of suspected stolen crude oil in the seaside area of Barangay Lapasan in Cagayan de Oro City.

A Bantay Dagat watchman alerted police after seeing the drums to be loaded on a pump boat, GMA Northern Mindanao's Francis Damit reported Monday.



The police arrested four men believed involved in the operation – Jimmy Bernaise, 54; Joel Dalumangcad, 28; Teodulfo Ranoa, 71; and Simplicio Nacua, 41.

"Pagsita ko, umandar pa alis ang pump boat patungo sa Brgy. Macabalan. Tinanong ko ang naiwan dito na nagbabantay sa mga drums 'Ano ito? Meron kayong permit?' Sabi nila 'wala, wala,'" said the Bantay Dagat watchman.

Police said their initial investigation showed the drums of crude oil were stolen and being sold in the streets.

"Itong mga crude oil ibinebenta sa mga lansangan. Tapos itong mga crude oil delikado ito sa dagat kasi baka magka oil spill," said PO3 Wilson Estenzo.

Estenzo also noted the drums bore the name of an oil company.

For their part, the suspects said they were merely ordered to load the drums. They declined to identify who gave the order.

The police are tracking down the owner of the drums, and are preparing possible theft and smuggling charges against the four. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News