GENERAL SANTOS CITY – A police chase involving suspected smugglers ended in a crash along Diversion Road, Barangay Sinawal, General Santos City, at around 2:30 AM on February 20, 2025. Authorities later discovered a large cache of smuggled cigarettes inside the wrecked vehicles.
Initial investigations revealed that the suspects were traveling in a white van from Maasim, Sarangani Province, when they evaded a checkpoint by the Sarangani 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC). The van nearly hit police personnel manning the area, prompting a hot pursuit operation. Law enforcement officers chased two four-wheeled vehicles until they crashed at the corner of Litan, Diversion Road.
Upon inspection of the accident site, authorities discovered boxes of Baru-brand cigarettes inside the white van. Meanwhile, the black Fortuner that was also involved in the crash contained three additional boxes of smuggled cigarettes.
The driver of the white van was identified as PSSg Rex Jalandoni, 43, a member of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) South Cotabato and a resident of Tupi, South Cotabato. His passengers included Kenneth Tabion, 43, also from Tupi, South Cotabato; Meljy Antugon, 21, a resident of Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat; and Gerant Gervacio, 41, a member of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and a resident of Barangay Labangal, General Santos City.
Further investigation revealed that one of the suspects was carrying an unlicensed .45 caliber pistol, in violation of the nationwide gun ban imposed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) since January 12, 2025, ahead of the May 2025 elections.
Authorities are preparing to file charges related to smuggling and illegal possession of firearms against the suspects. The seized cigarettes, believed to have been illegally imported from Indonesia, will be turned over to the Bureau of Customs for further processing.
The incident underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to curb smuggling activities and ensure compliance with election-related security measures.
