KALILANGAN, Bukidnon — Authorities recovered an estimated ₱240,000 worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes after an abandoned pickup truck involved in a self-traffic accident was discovered in Barangay Malinao, Kalilangan, Bukidnon on June 30, 2026, police said.
The recovery stemmed from a joint law enforcement operation conducted by personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other operating units assigned in the area.
According to an initial police report, operating personnel approached a silver Mitsubishi Strada that had been abandoned following what authorities described as a self-traffic accident near a checkpoint area. Upon inspection, officers found numerous reams of suspected smuggled cigarettes scattered both on the ground and at the rear cargo bed of the pickup truck.
The discovery prompted authorities to immediately secure the area and conduct an inventory of the recovered items.
Recovered during the operation were:
- One silver Mitsubishi Strada pickup truck;
- 300 reams of Modern Cigarettes (Red) believed to have been smuggled into the country.
Authorities noted that the cigarette packs did not bear the mandatory Government Health Warning, a requirement under Philippine regulations, raising strong suspicion that the products were illegally imported and intended for distribution in the local market.
The recovered cigarettes were assessed by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and were estimated to have a total value of ₱240,000.
The operation was led by Police Major Yasser A. Macalimbon, Company Commander of the 1004th Maneuver Company, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 10 (RMFB-10), under the supervision of Police Lieutenant Colonel Bernard E. Pagaduan, Acting Force Commander of RMFB-10.
Authorities have yet to identify the driver or owner of the abandoned vehicle. An investigation is underway to determine the source of the contraband, identify those responsible, and establish whether the shipment is linked to a larger cigarette smuggling network operating in Northern Mindanao.
Police said the recovered vehicle and seized cigarettes have been turned over to the appropriate authorities for documentation and the filing of appropriate charges for violations of customs and tax laws, as well as other applicable statutes.
The PNP emphasized that operations against smuggling remain a priority as authorities continue to intensify efforts to curb the illegal trade of untaxed tobacco products, which deprive the government of significant tax revenues and undermine legitimate businesses.
“We remain vigilant and committed to securing our communities against illegal trade,” the operating units said, reaffirming their commitment to sustained anti-smuggling operations across the region.
The investigation remains ongoing.