Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat — A joint border checkpoint operation by police and military forces on November 27, 2025 resulted in the interception of a vehicle carrying suspected smuggled cigarettes worth more than ₱157,000 and the arrest of both the driver and the alleged supplier in a swift follow-up operation.
At around 2:00 PM, elements of the 3rd Maneuvering Platoon, 2nd SKPMFC led by PMAJ Alexander M. De Pedro, together with troops from Bravo Company of the 37th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army, flagged down a Mazda sedan traversing the national highway in Barangay Malisbong. Inside the vehicle, operatives discovered 200 reams of Forth Menthol cigarettes with an estimated Bureau of Customs (BOC) value of ₱157,160.
The driver — “suspect, full name withheld for privacy,” a resident of Maasim, Sarangani Province — failed to present any documents showing legal possession or transport of the cigarettes.
During questioning, the suspect identified the source of the contraband as “suspect, full name withheld for privacy,” known locally as a businessman operating a grocery store along the national highway in Barangay Kabuling, Palimbang. The driver also confirmed that the cigarettes were picked up from the said establishment.
Acting on this information, personnel of the 2nd SKPMFC and Palimbang Municipal Police Station (MPS), led by PLTCOL Gary Flor C. Marfil and in coordination with the Bureau of Customs, immediately launched a follow-up operation.
The team proceeded to the identified grocery store, where they arrested the alleged supplier — “suspect, full name withheld for privacy,” a resident of Barangay Kraan — after spotting additional suspected smuggled cigarette products in plain view. Confiscated from the establishment were:
- 9 reams of Berlin
- 4 reams of Caspro
- 2 reams of Forth Menthol
- 6 packs of Forth Menthol Black
- 4 packs of Gajah Baru
The seized items carry an estimated BOC value of ₱12,572.80.
Both suspects were informed of their constitutional rights and transported to Palimbang MPS along with all confiscated items for documentation and proper disposition. The intercepted Mazda sedan and the seized cigarettes will be turned over to the Bureau of Customs in General Santos City.
Police Regional Office 12 (PRO 12) Regional Director PBGEN Arnold P. Ardiente lauded the operating units for their coordinated and decisive actions that led to the swift arrest of the suspects.
“This accomplishment demonstrates our resolve to stop the entry and distribution of smuggled goods in SOCCSKSARGEN,” PBGEN Ardiente said. “Smuggling deprives the government of revenue and exposes communities to unregulated products. PRO 12, in close coordination with the Bureau of Customs and our AFP counterparts, will continue to intensify operations to put an end to these illegal activities.”
Authorities emphasized that operations against smuggling will remain relentless as part of efforts to safeguard the region’s economic integrity and public welfare.