Abandoned Kabankalan truck yields PHP 594,000 smuggled cigarettes

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Authorities recovered 1,100 reams of suspected smuggled cigarettes worth PHP 594,000 from an abandoned truck in Sitio Tapol, Barangay Salong, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, on Thursday.

Police discovered the cigarettes after an individual reported a suspicious vehicle that had been parked on private property for about five days.

The recovered cigarettes were turned over to the Kabankalan City Police Station and will be referred to the appropriate enforcement agencies for proper disposition.

Police Brig. Gen. Romano Cardiño, director of the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region, said the recovery demonstrated authorities’ continued vigilance against illicit trade and other activities that undermine lawful commerce and public safety.

“We remain relentless in disrupting the movement of illicit goods,” he added.

The recovery came days after authorities seized about PHP 21 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes during a seaborne patrol off Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, on Aug. 15, when seven people were arrested and 26,250 reams were confiscated.

Earlier, police seized PHP 14.6 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes from a storage compound in Barangay Malingin, Bago City, on Aug. 6.

PRO-NIR reported that its campaign against cigarette smuggling yielded about PHP 195 million worth of contraband across the region from January through June, resulting in the arrest of 52 people.

The regional police office has intensified efforts to secure maritime routes and curb the illegal movement of goods amid a series of operations targeting the illicit tobacco trade in the Negros Island Region.

PRO-NIR called on the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, saying information from communities strengthens efforts to maintain safety and security across the region.