PALIMBANG, Sultan Kudarat — Six individuals were arrested while suspected smuggled cigarettes valued at ₱855,700 were confiscated during a police response operation conducted along the shoreline of Sitio Minanga, Barangay Malisbong, Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat, in the early hours of July 30, 2026.
The operation stemmed from a routine shoreline patrol by law enforcement personnel, who unexpectedly encountered several individuals actively arranging boxes believed to contain smuggled cigarettes near the coastal area. Acting swiftly, the operatives moved in and apprehended the suspects before they could transport or distribute the illicit goods.
Recovered from the scene were five boxes of Berlin cigarettes, eleven boxes of Fort cigarettes, and an additional 200 reams of Fort cigarettes. The confiscated tobacco products have an estimated value of ₱855,700, based on the Bureau of Customs’ valuation.
Authorities believe the cigarettes may have been illegally brought into the country through coastal smuggling routes, a persistent challenge in parts of Mindanao due to its extensive shoreline and proximity to international maritime borders.
The confiscated items have been turned over for verification by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to establish their origin and confirm whether they were unlawfully imported. Meanwhile, the six arrested individuals remain under police custody as investigators prepare the appropriate criminal charges against them for violations of customs and other applicable laws.
The operation forms part of the intensified campaign of law enforcement agencies against the illegal trade of untaxed and smuggled cigarettes, which continues to deprive the government of millions of pesos in revenue while fueling illicit trade networks.
Police Regional Office 12 (PRO-12) Acting Regional Director PBGEN Alan B. Manibog commended the operating personnel for the successful interdiction, emphasizing the importance of sustained enforcement efforts against smuggling activities.
“Patuloy nating paiigtingin ang ating kampanya laban sa smuggling at iba pang ilegal na gawain. Ang bawat matagumpay na operasyon ay hakbang tungo sa pagprotekta sa ating ekonomiya, pagpapatupad ng batas, at pagpapanatili ng kapayapaan at kaayusan sa ating mga komunidad,” Manibog said.
He stressed that PRO-12 remains committed to strengthening coastal patrols, intelligence gathering, and inter-agency coordination to disrupt smuggling operations and prevent the entry and distribution of illegal goods in the region.
The latest seizure adds to a series of anti-smuggling operations across Mindanao, where authorities have intensified efforts to curb the illicit cigarette trade, safeguard legitimate businesses, and protect government revenues from illegal importation activities. Investigations are ongoing to determine whether the arrested suspects are connected to a larger smuggling network operating within the region.