ABOUT P250,000 worth of equipment were seized from two butane canister refilling stations in Cebu City and another one in Talisay City on Friday, April 5.

The refilling stations were located in Sitio Lower Laguerta, Barangay Busay and in Barangay Ermita, both in Cebu City; and in Talisay City.

Refilling butane canisters with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is deemed illegal because this does not conform to the trade and government standards.

At the refilling station in Busay, Mabolo police seized 13 filled LPG tanks, four empty LPG tanks, 35 butane canisters filled with LPG, three burners, and 1,570 empty butane canisters.

Mabolo police caught two men refilling butane canisters with LPG. Police arrested Luis Guyja Casagan, 56, and Johnny Gonzalgo, 24, on the spot and seized the butane cans and LPG tanks.

Police said Casagan is a nephew of the owner of the refilling station while Gonzalgo is a helper.

Mabolo police chief Dindo Alaras said the neighbors had been complaining about the operation, and so the police responded.

At 10 a.m. of April 5 in Sitio Ermita Proper, Barangay Ermita, Carbon police seized 44 butane canisters filled with LPG and 696 empty canisters.

Carbon police caught Sheba Secuya, 33, refilling the butane canisters.

In Talisay City also on Friday, 26 refilled butane canisters and 156 empty canisters were seized from Celso Tabay, 59, of Talisay City.

Carbon police chief Randy Caballes said they are intensifying the campaign against the illegal refilling of butane canisters. (from AYB of SuperBalita Cebu)