By Mary Judaline Partlow

ABANDONED. Several boxes of smuggled cigarettes are found in Sitio Cotcot, Barangay Bongalonan in Basay, Negros Oriental on Wednesday (March 4, 2026). Law enforcement agencies intensified operations in the area, saying it is a challenge to counter the smuggling of contraband in Basay’s wide stretch of coastline. (Photo courtesy of Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office)

DUMAGUETE CITY – The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Coast Guard in Negros Oriental said Friday that operations against smuggling via the southernmost towns of the province have been intensified amid challenges brought by operational limitations.

At the same time, the PNP and the Coast Guard urged the creation of a multi-agency group to prevent further smuggling activities believed to originate from Mindanao via Basay, the closest point in Negros Oriental.

“The coastline of Basay in Negros Oriental and its adjacent town, Hinoba-an in Negros Occidental, is such a long stretch that it is difficult to conduct continuous maritime patrols,” said Lt. Marionne Abigal Enopia, Coast Guard Station Negros Oriental commander in Cebuano.

Enopia said illicit operations are usually done at night, making them more difficult to spot and intercept.

Capt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson for the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOrPPO), reaffirmed Enopia’s description of the extensive coastline located in the southernmost region of Negros Island.

“While we cannot intercept them at sea, the best that we can do is locate the contraband when it reaches dry land,” Polinar said in Cebuano.

Usually, by the time law enforcement officers arrive at the scene, the contraband items are abandoned, hence no arrests are made, he added.

Last Wednesday, joint law enforcement units in Negros Oriental seized about PHP5.1 million worth of abandoned smuggled cigarettes in Sitio Cotcot, Barangay Bongalonan in Basay.

The contraband consisted of about 52 boxes of FORT Filter King (Red/White) cigarettes, and about 50 assorted boxes of cigarettes bearing the brands Commissioner American Blend, Astro American Blend, and Manok King Filter.

The smuggled cigarettes bore unauthorized tax seals and lacked the required graphic health requirements in violation of Republic Act 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, Polinar said.

For now, he said, they will strengthen intelligence activities against the smuggling of contraband to the province. (PNA)