FOR years, Batangas has grappled with persistent illegal activities that quietly undermined stability in the province.
Chief among them is the notorious “paihi” scheme — the siphoning and resale of fuel from tanker trucks — a practice long rumored in communities yet seldom disrupted with sustained force.
Today, that pattern appears to be shifting.
Barely three weeks after assuming leadership of the Batangas Police Provincial Office, Col. Marlon Rufo has wasted no time in translating authority into action.
His early tenure is marked not by rhetoric, but by swift, visible enforcement.
The first significant blow came in Calaca City, where six suspects were apprehended while siphoning diesel and gasoline from an oil tanker.
Recovered at the scene were fuel-filled containers, transport vehicles and improvised transfer equipment — unmistakable signs of a coordinated illegal operation.
The raid sent a clear message that long-tolerated schemes would no longer go unchecked.
Days later, a second and even more consequential operation unfolded in Batangas City. Five individuals were arrested while transferring petroleum products into makeshift containers.
Authorities seized fuel and equipment valued at over ₱4.6 million, underscoring both the scale and profitability of the illicit trade.
These back-to-back successes reflect a stronger enforcement posture aligned with the broader campaign of Gen. Jose Melencio ‘Tateng’ Nartatez Jr. to intensify action against smuggling and fuel-related crimes nationwide.
In Batangas, that directive is clearly gaining ground.
Still, early accomplishments must evolve into sustained reform. Fuel pilferage is only one symptom of deeper challenges confronting the province.
If Rufo maintains this momentum, his leadership may mark not just a series of raids, but the beginning of lasting change — restoring discipline, reinforcing the rule of law, and rebuilding public trust in local policing.
