MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon – Nearly ₱1.97 million worth of smuggled cigarettes were seized and three individuals were arrested in two separate anti-smuggling operations carried out in the towns of Talakag and Maramag, the police reported

Police Major Kevin P. Bangsoy, chief of Talakag Municipal Police Station, said that at around 11:55 p.m. on November 27, 2025, a police team manning a checkpoint in Barangay Lantud flagged down a vehicle that instead attempted to evade authorities. This prompted a hot pursuit operation, conducted in coordination with the 1004th Maneuver Company, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 10 (RMFB-10), which acted as the blocking force.

The fleeing vehicle was eventually intercepted, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as alias “Jun,” 42, a truck driver from Barangay Camaman-an, Cagayan de Oro City, and alias “Al,” 18, from Nazareth, Cagayan de Oro City.

Recovered from the suspects were 21 boxes of Commando cigarettes valued at ₱840,000, along with 362 reams of the same brand worth ₱289,600, bringing the total estimated value of the seized items to ₱1,129,600.

The suspects and the confiscated contraband were brought to the Talakag MPS for documentation and will be turned over to the Bureau of Customs for further action.

Meanwhile, a report from the Bukidnon Provincial Police Office (BPPO) Information Section stated that on November 28, members of the Bukidnon Provincial Intelligence Unit (BUKPIU), together with Maramag MPS and RSOU-10, conducted another anti-smuggling operation in Barangay Maramag that resulted in the arrest of alias “Ja-ja,” 24, a resident of Salawagan, Quezon, Bukidnon.

The arrest stemmed from a tip by an Anti-Smoking Ordinance Enforcer, who earlier issued the suspect a citation ticket for smoking near the Maramag Bus Terminal and for carrying boxes of suspected smuggled cigarettes worth ₱839,600.

The suspect and the confiscated items are now under the custody of Maramag MPS, while charges for Violation of R.A. 10643 (Graphic Health Warnings Law) are being prepared.

In a statement, Police Brig. Gen. Christopher N. Abrahano, regional director of PRO-10, lauded the operatives for their swift, coordinated, and resolute action.

“These operations show the firm dedication of our personnel in protecting our communities from illicit trade. I commend the teams for their swift and professional action. PRO-10 remains committed to enforcing the law and safeguarding Northern Mindanao. To those engaged in smuggling—this is your warning. We will hold you accountable,” he said. (melbmadera)