DPS head denies ordering barricade of gas station

THE Department of Public Services OIC denied having ordered the barricade of garbage trucks at the Total Gas Station in Mabini Street, this city Friday morning after the owner of the gasoline station refused to allow them to withdraw gasoline.

Total Gas Station proprietress Leah Grancho Friday claimed, in an interview, over ABS-CBN that Nelson Sedillo, officer-in-charge of the DPS, instructed the drivers of the dump trucks to enter the premises of the gasoline station after she refused to let them withdraw gasoline.

Sedillo said that when he arrived at the gasoline station Friday morning, the dump trucks were already there because it was their schedule to gas up.

They were advised only Friday morning by Grancho that they will not be allowed to withdraw gasoline, Sedillo said. Had they been informed the night before, he would not have issued the drivers of the dump trucks receipts to withdraw gasoline, he said in the TV interview.

Grancho requested Executive Assistant Jose Villanueva, who arrived at the gasoline station Friday that the city should issue a purchase order first before the dump trucks can withdraw gasoline.

She said they decided to cut off the gasoline supply of the DPS since the city has old accounts that were not yet settled.

Public Information Officer Rodel Parcon said Sedillo may have acted inappropriately at the gasoline station and his behavior stemmed from his belief that certain city officials have made arrangements with the gas station owner for the withdrawal of gasoline for the garbage trucks.

Parcon said Sedillo realized later that a check payment and a purchase order have not been released, although what he wished to accomplish then was simply to have the trucks gassed up so that they can collect garbage.

Sedillo signified that he is ready to sit down with the manager of the gasoline station to clarify matters. Carl N. Canet)