LIANGA, Surigao del Sur — Authorities seized an estimated ₱9 million worth of suspected smuggled and undocumented cigarettes and arrested two individuals during an anti-smuggling operation in Barangay Saint Christine, Lianga, Surigao del Sur, on Friday, October 30.
The Police Regional Office 13 (PRO-13) said the operation was carried out at around 8:10 a.m. in Purok 7 by personnel of the 1st Surigao del Sur Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), led by Acting Force Commander PMaj. Magdalino G. Pimentel Jr., in coordination with several police units and government agencies.
According to authorities, the operation was launched after law enforcement personnel received information about individuals allegedly unloading boxes of cigarettes from a vehicle parked along the roadside.
The seized items included 200 master cases of Kingpen cigarettes, consisting of menthol and American blend variants, with 50 reams in each master case, as well as a FUSO Fighter van truck believed to have been used in transporting the products.
Police estimated the total value of the confiscated cigarettes at approximately ₱9 million.
Authorities said the cigarettes were suspected to have been smuggled into the country and allegedly lacked the required tax payments and markings required by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). The exact status, origin and authenticity of the products, however, remain subject to further verification and appropriate proceedings by the concerned government agencies.
Two men were arrested during the operation. PRO-13 identified them only by their aliases, “Allan,” 50, who was allegedly the driver, and “Malik,” 27, both reportedly residents of Zamboanga City.
Earlier operational information also described one of the arrested individuals as the alleged owner of the cigarette shipment. Authorities have yet to publicly provide additional details establishing ownership of the seized products.
Three other individuals, identified by the aliases “Lolong,” “Dodong,” and “Pakeng,” remain at large, according to police.
The operation involved the 1st Surigao del Sur PMFC, the Surigao del Sur Police Special Operations Group, Lianga Municipal Police Station, the Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office, Regional Intelligence Unit 13 and the National Bureau of Investigation Region 13.
Barangay officials of Saint Christine also participated in the operation, which was coordinated with the Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Department of Trade and Industry in Tandag City.
Barangay Captain Agustin R. Moreno Jr. and media representative Giovannie R. Abao were present during the inventory, marking, documentation and sealing of the seized evidence, authorities said.
The two arrested individuals were informed of the grounds for their arrest and their constitutional rights before being brought to the Lianga Municipal Police Station for documentation and further legal proceedings.
Meanwhile, the confiscated cigarettes were turned over to the 1st Surigao del Sur PMFC for proper custody and disposition.
PRO-13 Director PBGen Rolindo M. Suguilon commended the participating police units and partner agencies, saying authorities would continue strengthening operations against the alleged proliferation of smuggled cigarettes and other illicit products.
“PRO13, in collaboration and partnership with concerned government agencies, will continue to strengthen our operations to eliminate the proliferation of smuggled cigarettes and other products in our communities,” Suguilon said in a statement.
He said such illegal activities undermine legitimate businesses and economic development, adding that authorities would continue efforts to identify and hold accountable those allegedly involved.
Police said cases for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 10643, or the Graphic Health Warnings Law; Republic Act No. 9211, or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003; and other applicable tax laws are being prepared against the suspects.
The filing of charges remains subject to the completion of the investigation and the evaluation of evidence by the appropriate authorities.