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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PNP vows to sustain campaign as anti-cigarette smuggling haul reaches P4 B

PNP vows to sustain campaign as anti-cigarette smuggling haul reaches P4 B

Published May 6, 2026 07:53 pm
Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez leads the inspection of abandoned container vans in Batangas City which later yielded around P1.1 billion worth of smuggled tobacco products. (photo: PNP)
Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez leads the inspection of abandoned container vans in Batangas City which later yielded around P1.1 billion worth of smuggled tobacco products. (photo: PNP)
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has committed to sustain the operation against smuggled and illegally-manufactured cigarettes as authorities continue to intercept and bust distribution networks despite the series of successful operations in the past months.
The aggressive drive was given focus when policemen seized more than P1 billion smuggled cigarettes in Batangas City in December last year and another P1 billion worth of contraband more in Navotas a few days later.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. said public safety must extend beyond police visibility and technology to strike at the economic engines sustaining these criminal networks.
“Cracking down on illicit industries is central to keeping our communities secured from organized crime,” Nartatez said.
Police have so far confiscated around 4 billion worth of illicit cigarettes nationwide since Nartatez assumed the top police post.
This builds upon a staggering first quarter that yielded over ₱2 billion in contraband. Major operations included the confiscation of ₱516.7 million in untaxed cigarettes in Valenzuela City, the discovery of a clandestine Pampanga factory housing ₱400 million in equipment, and maritime interdictions off Zamboanga that netted ₱634.8 million.
In late April, authorities dismantled a massive illegal manufacturing and storage operation in Negros Occidental, seizing an estimated ₱800 million in contraband.
This was closely followed by the recovery of ₱16.1 million in abandoned smuggled cigarettes in Lanao del Sur.
Police are also executing a coordinated offensive across multiple black-market sectors. Amid ongoing supply constraints, police have moved aggressively against fuel profiteers, filing at least 27 cases since early March.
This includes a raid in a large-scale “paihi” (fuel pilferage) operation in Navotas City, yielding ₱9.75 million worth of diverted diesel and nine arrests. The PNP’s enforcement also extends to counterfeit products and agricultural smuggling, which utilize these same illicit channels.
Earlier this year, the PNP's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) seized ₱202 million worth of counterfeit footwear and manufacturing equipment in Bulacan and Pampanga, arresting four foreign nationals.
Police units have actively supported the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Council, participating in major busts such as the seizure of ₱38 million in smuggled rice hidden in a Cebu warehouse.
The PNP is also collaborating with the Department of Justice to build airtight cases against offenders, including the use of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act (RA 12022), which classifies large-scale smuggling as a non-bailable offense.

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PNP cigarette smuggling Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr.
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