18/10/2026
TWO MINDANAO POLICE OPS TAKE ₱4.9-M CIGARETTE HAUL OFF THE ROAD
Under the leadership of Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., Chief, Philippine National Police (PNP), police units in Mindanao intercepted over ₱4.9 million worth of suspected illicit ci******es in separate operations in Maguindanao del Sur and Zamboanga del Norte on October 17.
In Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur, police recovered 1,450 reams of ci******es valued at ₱1,240,736.00 following information from a concerned citizen about abandoned cigarette products in Barangay Dapiawan. No person was found at the site, and the items were secured for proper documentation and disposition.
In Salug, Zamboanga del Norte, a police checkpoint led to the arrest of a 21-year-old Filipino and the recovery of 950 reams of ci******es valued at ₱3,667,000.00. A Toyota Revo believed to have been used to transport the products was also secured.
PGen Nartatez said the operations highlight how timely information and visible police presence can help prevent illicit goods from reaching the market.
“We are making it clear that police checkpoints and operations are not only about catching people after something happens. They are also about preventing illegal goods from reaching their intended market. Kapag may impormasyon, we act on it, we verify it, and we make sure that the evidence is properly handled,” PGen Nartatez said.
The operations support the PNP’s continuing efforts under the PNP Focused Agenda and its Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO), which emphasize timely information, coordinated action, and sound police procedures.
The PNP remains committed to supporting the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in keeping communities safe and protecting legitimate economic activities, consistent with its vision of a “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat at Nararamdaman.”
(PNP-PIO)