LEBAK, Sultan Kudarat — Police recovered an estimated ₱4,620,672 worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes during a manhunt operation targeting a wanted person in Barangay Kinudalan, Lebak, Sultan Kudarat, on Wednesday afternoon, August 12, 2026.
The operation was conducted at around 5:00 p.m. in Purok 2 as part of Manhunt Charlie, a police effort to locate and arrest alias “Mike,” who is wanted for Qualified Theft.
Personnel of the Lebak Municipal Police Station (MPS) served as the lead unit, with support from Tracker Team Delta of the Regional Intelligence Division 12 (RID 12), 2nd Sultan Kudarat Provincial Mobile Force Company (SKPMFC), Sultan Kudarat Provincial Intelligence Unit (SKPIU), Sultan Kudarat Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (SKPDEU), and Sultan Kudarat Maritime Police Station (SK MARPSTA).
According to the police, the wanted individual was aboard a motorized banca when the operating team approached the area. The suspect reportedly detected the presence of the authorities and managed to evade arrest.
While moving into the area, however, the operating personnel discovered two abandoned open shanty houses. Inside the structures, they found several cases of cigarettes suspected to have been smuggled into the area.
The recovered cigarettes consisted of:
- 88 cases of Walton cigarettes, with an estimated value of ₱3,764,992; and
- 20 cases of Red President cigarettes, valued at approximately ₱855,680.
The combined estimated value of the seized cigarettes was placed at ₱4,620,672.
Police brought the recovered items to the Lebak MPS for inventory because of poor network connectivity in the area. The inventory was conducted in coordination with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and was examined and witnessed by a Barangay Kagawad.
Authorities did not identify the owner of the cigarettes based on the information released, and the circumstances surrounding their presence inside the abandoned shanties remain subject to further investigation.
The recovery came as police units in the region continue to conduct operations against the movement and distribution of suspected smuggled goods, particularly in areas that may serve as entry points or transit routes for illicit commodities.
Police Regional Office 12 Director PBGen Alan B. Manibog emphasized the importance of sustained law-enforcement operations and inter-agency coordination in addressing smuggling.
“Hindi tayo titigil sa pagtugis sa mga lumalabag sa batas at sa pagsugpo sa pagpasok ng mga puslit na produkto. Patuloy nating paiigtingin ang ating koordinasyon sa Bureau of Customs at iba pang katuwang na ahensya upang maprotektahan ang ating mga komunidad at lehitimong kalakalan,” Manibog said.
The recovered cigarettes remain under police custody pending the appropriate disposition and further action in coordination with the Bureau of Customs.
Meanwhile, the manhunt for alias “Mike” continues following his reported escape during the operation. Authorities are also expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the abandoned shanty houses and determine who may be responsible for the suspected smuggled cigarettes.
The operation underscores the continuing efforts of law-enforcement agencies in Sultan Kudarat to pursue wanted persons while simultaneously addressing other offenses and violations uncovered during police operations.