OVER P1 billion worth of smuggled cigarettes being sold in Western Mindanao have been confiscated by agents of the Philippine National Police (PNP) amid the crackdown on tobacco smuggling ordered by PNP chief General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil, the Journal Group learned last Sunday.

Marbil has ordered all police units nationwide to step-up their campaign against smuggling and distribution of fake cigarettes in the country.

Gen. Marbil also said the PNP is committed to eradicating the illicit cigarette trade that doesn’t only undermines government revenues but also poses serious health risks to the public.

According to Area Police Command-Western Mindanao commander Major Gen. Bernard M. Banac, a total of 56 operations against cigarette smuggling syndicates in Western Mindanao have been conducted from January to date leading to the arrest of 61 suspects and the confiscation of over P1 billion worth of smuggled cigarettes.

The official said the smuggled tobacco products were seized by the Police Regional Offices (PRO) 9, 12 and Bangsamoro Administrative Region in Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Sur, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

Maj. Gen. Banac said the bulk of the smuggled cigarettes were confiscated by the PRO-9 headed by Brigadier Gen. Bowenn Joey M. Masauding. Overall, the three regional police offices recovered a total of 137,738 reams of smuggled cigarettes.

PRO-9 operatives have seized more than P5 million worth of smuggled cigarettes being sold in different parts of Zamboanga del Sur this month.

Brig. Gen. Masauding said that all recovered smuggled cigarettes were found without BIR tax stamp and graphic health warning signs.

Last week, PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group director Major Gen. Leo M. Francisco also reported the confiscation of nearly P3 million worth of smuggled cigarettes being sold and distributed in different parts of Mindanao.

One of the operations in Brgy. Poblacion in Mlang, North Cotabato led to the arrest of a 45-year old resident who was caught in the act of selling the contraband.

Recovered during the sting were the P50,000 worth of buy-bust money topped by a marked P1,000 bill and 21 boxes of smuggled Modern, Commando, Astro, B & R, Black Jack, Royal, Marvel, TM, San Mareno, Cannon, New Berlin, Premiex and Delta cigarettes worth at least P670,000.

A 2nd suspect, a 47-year-old resident of Purok 2, Brgy. Poblacion, Tupi, South Cotabato was arrested in another operation in Purok Masipag in Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Koronadal City.

Seized during the sting were the P12,000 worth of entrapment money topped by a marked P1,000 bill and 61 boxes of Modern, BeauFort and YS cigarettes valued at P360,000.

The 3rd operation in Purok Maunlad in Brgy. Silway 8 in Polomolok, South Cotabato resulted in the arrest of three men.

Recovered during the operation were 150 boxes of New Berlin, The Best and Cannon cigarettes worth nearly P850,000 and the buy-bust money topped by a marked P1,000 bill.

Members of the CIDG Regional Field Unit 12 led by Lieutenant Colonel Rogelio B. Pineda Jr. conducted the anti-smuggling operations with the support of the Bureau of Customs and the police.

The arrested suspects are now facing charges for violation of Republic Act No. 10845, otherwise known as the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016, which was enacted for the purpose of protecting local agricultural industry and farmers from agricultural smuggling.

The availability of counterfeit and smuggled cigarette products really undermines the government’s efforts to control tobacco consumption through taxation and regulation and in particular erodes the effectiveness of anti-smoking campaigns and initiatives aimed at reducing smoking rates.

Gen. Marbil issued his anti-smuggling instruction amid reports that the national government is losing a staggering P25.5 billion every year due to the illicit trade of fake and smuggled cigarettes.