CALAMBA, Misamis Occidental, Philippines — Police recovered 347 reams of assorted cigarette brands valued at approximately ₱277,600 during an intelligence-driven operation near an abandoned house in Barangay Magcamiguing, Calamba, Misamis Occidental, on the evening of October 18, 2026.
The operation was conducted by personnel of the Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Misamis Occidental Police Provincial Office, in coordination with the Calamba Municipal Police Station.
Police recovered the cigarette products from the area near the abandoned house as part of efforts to detect and prevent the movement of suspected smuggled goods in the province.
The recovered cigarettes were valued at approximately ₱277,600. Authorities have yet to establish, based on the initial information provided, who owned the shipment, how it was brought to the area, or whether the location was being used to store or distribute the products.
Bureau of Customs to handle further proceedings
The recovered cigarettes are subject to proper documentation and turnover to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for verification and appropriate action under applicable customs and tax regulations.
Authorities said the individuals involved were temporarily released pending verification and appropriate proceedings by the concerned government agencies. Further details regarding possible violations or the outcome of the investigation were not provided in the initial report.
The recovery highlights the role of intelligence gathering and police coordination in identifying locations where suspected illicit goods may be kept. Authorities are expected to determine the origin and ownership of the cigarettes and establish whether the shipment violated applicable importation, customs, or tax requirements.
PRO 10 directs police to sustain intelligence-led operations
Police Regional Office 10 Regional Director PBGEN Nestor C. Babagay Jr. commended the personnel involved in the operation and directed police units to continue acting on reliable intelligence, strengthen checkpoints, and intensify coordination with partner agencies to curb cigarette smuggling and the movement of other illicit goods.
“We will continue to act on reliable information and work with our partner agencies to stop the movement of illicit goods while ensuring that all operations are lawful and respect due process,” Babagay said.
The Calamba operation was one of two separate cigarette seizures reported by PRO 10 on October 18. The other operation, conducted in Barangay Dalipuga, Iligan City, resulted in the seizure of 250 reams of Modern cigarettes worth approximately ₱200,000 and an orange Toyota Hilux allegedly used to transport them.
Combined, the two operations yielded 597 reams of cigarettes with an estimated total value of ₱477,600.
The recovered products in Calamba remain subject to verification and appropriate proceedings by the concerned government agencies. No final finding of liability was reported.