By Jason De Asis
CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga – The Police Regional Office (PRO) 3 (Central Luzon) has intensified its campaign against illicit trade, resulting in the seizure of more than PHP1.38 million worth of illegal cigarettes in separate operations in Nueva Ecija and Pampanga from April 6 to 7.
In a report on Wednesday, PRO-3 said the operations form part of a broader regional crackdown targeting the illegal transport and distribution of untaxed tobacco products across Central Luzon.
Authorities intercepted a white Nissan Urvan during a checkpoint operation in Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija at approximately 11:30 p.m. on April 6. Law enforcement personnel recovered 85 boxes of illicit cigarettes valued at about PHP1.02 million.
Police arrested two suspects – a 46-year-old driver and a 36-year-old helper – after they failed to present proper documentation for the tobacco products.
In a separate operation at about 12:20 p.m. on April 7, operatives of the Pampanga Police Intelligence Unit (PIU), in coordination with the Arayat Municipal Police, conducted a buy-bust operation in Arayat.
The operation resulted in the arrest of a 43-year-old male suspect and the confiscation of 19 boxes of illegal cigarettes worth PHP360,000, along with the vehicle used in the transaction. Another suspect remains at large.
Authorities said all confiscated cigarettes lacked the required tax stamps from the Bureau of Internal Revenue, a violation of the National Internal Revenue Code of the Philippines.
“This is about protecting our economy, ensuring fair business practices, and safeguarding government revenues. We will continuously sustain and intensify our operations in line with the PNP (Philippine National Police) Focused Agenda,” PRO-3 Director Brig. Gen. Jess Mendez said.
Nueva Ecija Police Director, Col. Ritchie Claravall, highlighted the role of sustained checkpoints in intercepting illegal goods, while Pampanga Police Director, Col. Eugene Marcelo, cited the importance of intelligence-driven operations.
Mendez instructed all police units in Central Luzon to maintain aggressive monitoring in support of the directives of Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla and PNP Chief, Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. (PNA)
