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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Eastern Petroleum sues rival LPG firm

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Eastern Petroleum Corp., an independent petroleum company, said Monday it filed a case against rival Pryce Gases Inc. for alleged unauthorized liquefied petroleum gas refilling.

Eastern Petroleum said in statement its anti-illegal LPG refilling campaign gained ground with the resolution issued by the Provincial Prosecutors’ Office of Imus, Cavite against Pryce for the alleged unauthorized refilling of EC Gas cylinders.

The Provincial Prosecutors’ Office of Imus said in a resolution it found probable cause to indict Pryce Gases president and chief operation officer Efren Palma for two counts of violation of Batas Pambansa 33, as amended by Presidential Decree 1865, and two counts of violation of Republic Act 8293 of the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines of 1997.

Eastern Petroleum said the resolution was penned by prosecutor Anita Gaduang-Rosales and was based on results of two test buys conducted by members of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group which confirmed that the refilling plant of Pryce in Maguyam, Silang, Cavite was engaged in illegal refilling of LPG.

Eastern Petroleum said results of the two test buys where EC Gas cylinders were being refilled by Pryce were sufficient to establish the illegal activities being undertaken in Pryce’s plant in Silang and were punishable under said laws.

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“The Office of the Provincial Prosecutor’s resolution confirms our allegations of illegal LPG refilling and gives a legal cover to pursue our case [against Pryce Gases],” Eastern Petroleum said.

The company said illegal refilling activities imperiled not only the lives of consumers but could also cause damage to properties.

The Energy Department earlier assured the Independent Philippine Petroleum Companies Association, where Eastern Petroleum is a member, that it would go against illegal LPG refilling activities in the country.

The department also committed to revisit existing regulations to prevent the unauthorized refilling of other LPG companies’ cylinders and  work on improving industry standards.

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