ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) dealt another significant blow to cigarette smuggling after seizing an estimated ₱7.15 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes abandoned along the shoreline of Barangay Cawit, Zamboanga City, following a maritime surveillance operation in the early hours of July 23, 2026.
The operation resulted in the confiscation of 110 master cases of assorted suspected smuggled cigarettes, although the individuals behind the illicit shipment managed to evade arrest after fleeing aboard a motorized jungkong under the cover of darkness.
According to PCG Spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab, the successful seizure was the result of intelligence information received by the Coast Guard regarding an alleged smuggling activity taking place along the coastal waters of Barangay Cawit.
Acting swiftly on the report, the PCG launched a coordinated maritime and land-based surveillance operation beginning on the evening of July 22. Coast Guard intelligence and operational units monitored the area in anticipation of the suspected illegal shipment.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. on July 23, the maritime surveillance team spotted a large jungkong navigating the waters off Barangay Cawit.
However, upon noticing the approaching Coast Guard personnel, the vessel immediately accelerated and headed toward the open sea in an apparent attempt to evade interception.
Coast Guard operatives launched a pursuit but were forced to discontinue the chase after rough sea conditions prevented them from safely catching up with the fleeing vessel.
Despite the escape of the suspected smugglers, the operation yielded a major recovery.
The Coast Guard team proceeded to the shoreline where the vessel was believed to have unloaded its cargo and discovered 110 master cases of assorted suspected smuggled cigarettes. Authorities found several boxes neatly stacked along the coast, while others were scattered across the shoreline, suggesting the smugglers hastily abandoned the contraband during their escape.
The confiscated cigarettes, with an estimated market value of ₱7.15 million, were immediately secured and transported to Coast Guard Station (CGS) Zamboanga for proper documentation, inventory, and turnover to the appropriate government authorities for further investigation and possible forfeiture proceedings.
The operation was carried out through the combined efforts of personnel from the Coast Guard Intelligence Group Southwestern Mindanao, Coast Guard Station Zamboanga, Coast Guard Intelligence Unit Zamboanga, and Coast Guard Sub-Station Cawit.
The Coast Guard emphasized that the successful seizure highlights the agency’s continuing reliance on intelligence-driven maritime law enforcement operations to disrupt smuggling syndicates operating in the country’s southern maritime borders.
Authorities also reiterated the PCG’s commitment to intensifying efforts against smuggling and other forms of transnational crime, supporting the national government’s campaign to strengthen border security and protect legitimate trade.
The operation forms part of the Coast Guard’s Intensified Community Assistance, Awareness, Response, and Enforcement (iCARE) campaign, which aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Bagong Pilipinas governance agenda aimed at enhancing public safety, securing the nation’s maritime domain, and curbing illegal economic activities.
Investigations are ongoing to identify the owners of the abandoned shipment, trace its origin and intended destination, and determine the individuals and groups responsible for the attempted smuggling operation. Authorities are also pursuing intelligence leads to locate the fleeing vessel and its crew.