PHILIPPINE National Police chief General Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. has ordered all concerned police units to intensify their campaign against the smuggling and distribution of fake cigarettes in the country.

As the premier law enforcement agency in the country, the PNP has been ordered by President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr. to curb smuggling and all forms of illicit trades nationwide.

The PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), headed by Major Gen. Romeo M. Caramat Jr. and all 17 Police Regional Offices, have been given the responsibility to carry out the job, the Journal Group learned.

Arrested smugglers and distributors of fake cigarettes face criminal charges for violation of Republic Act 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), specifically in possession of smuggled goods and non-payment of taxes as well as RA 10643 or the illegal sale of cigarettes without a standard graphic health warning.

In his recent State-of-the-Nation-Address by President Marcos Jr., the President called on all government law enforcement agencies to run after smuggles and put them behind bars.

Following the presidential directive, the Police Regional Office 12 headed by Brigadier Gen. Jimili L. Macaraeg Jr. seized some P6 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in Barangay New Cuyapo in Tantangan, South Cotabato last August 29.

PRO 12 agents last August 24 also recovered some P19.4 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in Bgy. Bawing in General Santos City.

The PNP-CIDG has accounted for tens of millions worth of smuggled cigarettes nationwide.

Last August 18, CIDG operatives confiscated over P1 million worth of the contraband in Bgy. Maparat in Compostela, Davao de Oro.

Last May 30, PNP-CIDG agents in Cebu arrested a businessman in Danao City accused of involvement in the same illegal activity.

Recovered from the suspect were P700,000 worth of fake Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Company products.

Caramat said that those operations were in line with their flagship project Oplan: Megashopper, which aims to curb smuggling and arrest the flow of counterfeit products in the country.

Other major anti-cigarette smuggling operations have been conducted by the PNP-CIDG in Davao, Calabarzon, Cebu, Nueva Ecija,Pampanga, Camarines Sur and Bulacan since 2022.

Last September 12, nearly P3 million worth of smuggled cigarettes were intercepted by patrolling Zamboanga City policemen during an anti-smuggling operation.

Four suspects were arrested in the operation, Police Regional Office 9 director Brigadier General Bowenn Joey M. Masauding said.

Arrested on board a motorized wooden boat were Takam Julhakim, 43; Mahajir Ahadin, 39; Udjah Usab, 54; and Mahsin Usman, 48, all residents of Sulu.

The PRO9 director said that members of the 2nd Zamboanga City Mobile Force Company who were on a seaborne patrol intercepted the four along Tumalutap Island past 10 p.m. last Sept, 19.

The four were placed under arrest when they failed to present any papers covering the 84 master cases of New Berlin, Red Astro, Fort Menthol, San Marino, White San Marino and Cannon Menthol cigarettes they were carrying.

The cigarettes, valued at over P2 million, reportedly came from Jolo, Sulu and were about to be brought to Parang, Maguindanao.

The watercraft and smuggled cigarettes were taken to a police station for safekeeping prior to their turnover to the Bureau of Customs.

Earlier, Misamis Oriental (2nd District) Representative Yevgeny Vicente Emano said the proliferation of illicit cigarettes in Mindanao have affected thousands of tobacco farmers, including many of his constituents.

Emano, during the budget hearing, showed photos of various brands of smuggled cigarettes that were being sold at P45 per pack in public places in Cagayan de Oo and Misamis Oriental compared to the legitimate local brands which are commonly being sold at P160 per pack.