In a significant enforcement action, the Police Regional Office in Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has seized an estimated P787,500 worth of smuggled cigarettes during a mobile patrol operation. The incident occurred on February 16, 2026, at Purok Margarita, Barangay Balintawak, in Escalante City, Negros Occidental.
Details of the Operation
According to Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, the chief of the PRO-NIR Public Information Office, the operation was conducted by a joint team from the Escalante City Police Office and the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo). At approximately 9:02 p.m., during a routine patrol, officers observed a man, later identified by the alias "Sap," unloading boxes of cigarettes into a white utility vehicle.
As an operative approached the scene, the suspect, a resident of Purok Gardenia in Barangay Balintawak, fled immediately. Despite a coordinated pursuit effort, he managed to evade capture and remains at large as of the latest reports.
Recovered Items and Documentation
Police successfully recovered a substantial haul of smuggled goods, including five master cases of Gold City cigarettes, 15 master cases of Cannon cigarettes, 10 master cases of Thunder cigarettes, and five master cases of Casablanca cigarettes. The white utility vehicle used in the smuggling attempt was also confiscated.
To ensure transparency and accountability, the team documented the entire recovery process using body-worn cameras (BWC). The confiscated items were then transported to the Escalante City Police Station for proper documentation and the filing of appropriate charges.
Broader Implications and Legal Framework
Lieutenant Colonel Malong emphasized that this operation is part of PRO-NIR's proactive campaign against smuggling and illegal trade activities in the region. By intercepting such violations during routine patrols, the regional police demonstrate a strong commitment to upholding key national laws.
These include Republic Act (RA) 10863, known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, which aims to modernize customs procedures and combat smuggling; RA 10643, the Graphic Health Warnings Law, which regulates tobacco products to protect public health; and RA 8424, the Tax Reform Act of 1997, which safeguards government revenue through proper taxation.
Malong added that such operations not only disrupt illegal trade networks but also contribute to protecting public health by preventing the circulation of unregulated tobacco products and ensuring that government funds are not lost to illicit activities.
