29/06/2026
PNP, BOC INTERCEPT ₱9.4-M WORTH OF SUSPECTED SMUGGLED CI******ES IN ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR
The Philippine National Police (PNP), in partnership with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine Army, seized ₱9,469,723.20 worth of suspected smuggled ci******es during a law enforcement operation in Pitogo, Zamboanga del Sur on the night of June 28, 2026.
The operation was launched after a concerned citizen reported that bundles of suspected smuggled ci******es were being unloaded from a pump boat and transferred to waiting vehicles.
Acting on the information, personnel of the Pitogo Municipal Police Station immediately coordinated with the Bureau of Customs and, together with intelligence operatives of the Philippine Army's 53rd Infantry Battalion, conducted an operation that resulted in the arrest of three male suspects, aged 21, 37, and 48, who were allegedly caught loading the contraband.
The operation resulted in the seizure of 60 master cases of suspected smuggled ci******es valued at approximately ₱9.47 million, according to the Bureau of Customs. Authorities also recovered three vehicles and a pump boat believed to have been used to transport the shipment. All recovered items have been turned over to the Bureau of Customs for proper disposition.
During the operation, police-issued uniforms, equipment, and identification cards were also recovered from one of the vehicles. A follow-up investigation is underway to determine their connection to the incident. The PNP has likewise initiated the appropriate administrative and criminal processes against a police personnel identified during the investigation, while pursuit operations continue against other individuals who fled the area.
Chief PNP, Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., commended the operating teams for their prompt action and emphasized that the organization will continue to uphold accountability.
"Mabilis ang naging koordinasyon ng ating mga operating units at partner agencies kaya naging matagumpay ang operasyon. Mahalaga rin na malinaw ang ating mensahe—walang sinuman ang mas mataas sa batas. Kung may sapat na ebidensya, kikilos ang PNP nang patas at naaayon sa batas."
He added: "Smuggling affects government revenues and legitimate businesses. We will continue strengthening our coordination with partner agencies to stop these illegal activities and ensure that those responsible are held accountable through due process."
The successful operation forms part of the PNP's Focused Agenda on Enhanced Managing Police Operations, which promotes intelligence-driven and inter-agency law enforcement efforts against organized and transnational crimes. It also supports the whole-of-government campaign of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen border security, enforce customs laws, and protect the country's economic interests.
The PNP assures the public that operations against smuggling and other illegal activities will continue to be carried out with professionalism, transparency, and full respect for the rule of law, in line with Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat at Nararamdaman.
(PNP-PIO)