ZAMBOANGA CITY, November 11, 2026 — The Philippine Navy has intercepted more than ₱333.68 million worth of undocumented cigarettes and transport vessels in a series of maritime enforcement operations across Basilan, Sulu, and Zamboanga Sibugay, resulting in the apprehension of 28 crew members.
The Naval Command Western Mindanao (NCWM), through Naval Task Force 61 (NTF-61), conducted four separate interdiction operations from November 3 to 8, seizing a total of 2,161 master cases and 194 reams of undocumented cigarettes, along with four watercraft allegedly used to transport the contraband.
NCWM Commander Rear Admiral Constancio Arturo M. Reyes Jr. announced the results on Wednesday, placing the combined estimated value of the confiscated cigarettes and seized vessels at ₱333,680,490.24.
The 28 apprehended crew members were distributed among the four intercepted vessels: 13 aboard M/B Sukuran, seven aboard M/T Princess Jewiesa, five aboard MB Honda, and three aboard M/B Try Mo.
The biggest operation took place off Lutangan Island in Zamboanga Sibugay, where naval personnel intercepted a motor launch carrying contraband with an estimated combined value of ₱279.43 million. The single operation accounted for the bulk of the latest seizures.
Three other interceptions conducted in the waters off Basilan and Sulu resulted in the confiscation of an additional ₱54.25 million worth of undocumented cigarettes and vessels, along with the apprehension of the remaining crew members.
Following the operations, all four watercraft, their respective crews, and the confiscated cigarette shipments were formally turned over to the Bureau of Customs (BOC)–Port of Zamboanga.
The BOC will undertake the inventory and appropriate legal disposition of the seized goods and vessels, as well as the administrative proceedings involving the apprehended crew members.
Maritime crackdown pushes cumulative seizures close to ₱5 billion
The latest interceptions bring NCWM’s total recorded maritime apprehensions to 80, with an estimated cumulative value approaching ₱5 billion.
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The operations also came barely a week after naval units intercepted nearly ₱398 million worth of illicit cigarettes elsewhere in the region, underscoring the continuing scale of suspected smuggling activities along Western Mindanao’s maritime routes.
The successive seizures point to the persistent use of the region’s extensive waterways for the movement of undocumented goods, presenting continuing challenges to maritime law enforcement agencies.
Authorities warned that illegal trade does not only undermine customs regulations but also deprives the government of potential revenues, disrupts legitimate commercial activities, and threatens the economic security of coastal communities and the wider region.
Reyes said the naval command would maintain a high level of operational readiness and strengthen maritime domain awareness throughout its area of responsibility.
He emphasized that sustained naval patrols and close coordination with other government agencies remain essential in detecting and preventing illegal maritime activities, particularly in areas where vessels can exploit the extensive sea routes connecting island provinces and coastal communities.
While defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity remains the Navy’s primary responsibility, NCWM stressed that it would not tolerate illicit maritime operations within its jurisdiction.
The latest operations demonstrate the importance of continued naval presence and inter-agency cooperation in protecting the country’s maritime interests, enforcing customs and maritime laws, and safeguarding legitimate trade.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines, through NCWM, reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining maritime security operations across Western Mindanao to curb smuggling and other unlawful activities while helping preserve peace and stability in the region.