06/03/2026
PNP SEIZES OVER PHP 1.2 MILLION IN SMUGGLED CI******ES, ARRESTS 7 IN BAGANGA
The Philippine National Police, under the command of PNP Chief PGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., confiscated suspected smuggled ci******es valued at approximately PHP 1,250,000.00 during a checkpoint operation on March 3, 2026, in Brgy. Baculin, Baganga, Davao Oriental.
The operation, led by the 1st Davao Oriental Provincial Mobile Force Company and assisted by the Baganga Municipal Police Station, intercepted three vans carrying fifty sacks of branded ci******es, totaling an estimated two thousand five hundred (2,500) reams, without the required graphic health warnings.
Arrested during the operation were seven individuals identified only by their aliases: Kurt, Leogien, Janel, Ralph, April Boy, Asman, and Adrian.
The success of the operation highlights the PNP Focused Agenda, particularly the key priority of Enhanced Managing Police Operations, which ensures strict enforcement of the law while protecting communities from illegal activities.
“This operation is a strong reminder that illegal activities will not be tolerated in our communities,” PGEN Nartatez said. “Patuloy tayong magbabantay at kikilos para protektahan ang mamamayan laban sa anumang uri ng smuggling.”
PGEN Nartatez also highlighted the collaborative effort behind the success of the operation: “Our personnel are committed to upholding the law and securing public safety in every checkpoint we conduct.”
As the PNP implements measures to intercept and prevent smuggling under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., it continues to assure the public of “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong mabilis, tapat, at nararamdaman.”
(PNP-PIO)
