CAMP ALAGAR, Cagayan de Oro City – June 21, 2025 — Authorities from the Police Regional Office 10 (PRO10) intercepted an estimated ₱20 million worth of smuggled cigarettes and arrested eight individuals during an early morning operation in Manticao, Misamis Oriental.
The operation, carried out at around 2:15 a.m., was launched by personnel from the Manticao Municipal Police Station following a tip-off from a concerned citizen. The report indicated suspicious activity involving the unloading of contraband from a fishing vessel, locally known as a kompit, in Purok 1, Barangay Punta Silum.
Responding officers caught the suspects in the act of unloading and stacking boxes of Red Delta brand cigarettes along the seawall. A subsequent search led to the discovery of additional cases hidden inside a delivery truck parked near the scene.
Police identified the arrested suspects by their aliases:
- “Tango”, 42, of Maloso, Basilan
- “Blitz”, 18; “Razor”, 23; and “Echo”, 19 — all residents of Punta Silum, Manticao
- “Falcon”, 23, of Arena, Zamboanga City
- “Bravo”, 56, and “Ridge”, 23, of Baliwasan, Zamboanga City
- “Hawk”, 34, of Barangay Luinab, Iligan City
Authorities confiscated approximately 500 cases of Red Delta cigarettes, along with the fishing vessel and truck used for transport.
The suspects and the seized items are now in the custody of the Manticao police and will be turned over to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for proper legal action and disposition.
PBGEN Rolindo M. Suguilon, Regional Director of PRO10, lauded the swift response of his personnel and stressed the critical role of continued enforcement operations in Northern Mindanao.
“This successful operation is a clear demonstration of our continued efforts to secure our borders and uphold the law. I commend the operating units for a job well done. Let us remain steadfast in our mission to protect the public from the dangers of illicit trade,” Suguilon said.
PRO10 assured the public that it will intensify its efforts against smuggling and other illegal activities in the region.