Kabankalan police seize PHP 715,000 smuggled cigarettes

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — As the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region continues its intensified campaign against the illegal tobacco trade, another operation led to the apprehension of a man and the confiscation of PHP 715,000 worth of illicit cigarette products in Sitio Utod, Barangay Hilamonan, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, on Monday.

Police acted on a report from a concerned citizen regarding the alleged unloading of suspicious boxes believed to contain illegal cigarettes in the area.

Upon verification, responding personnel reportedly caught 57-year-old Bas, a driver and vendor from Zamboanga City, unloading boxes from a red dropside truck containing alleged cigarette products without the required graphic health warnings, in violation of Republic Act 10643, or the Graphic Health Warnings Law.

Republic Act 10643 requires tobacco product packages sold in the Philippines to carry full-color graphic health warnings to inform the public about the harmful effects of tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke. 

Recovered from the suspect were 21 small boxes of Tourism cigarettes, each containing 30 reams, for a total of 630 reams; eight large boxes of the same brand, each containing 50 reams, for a total of 400 reams; and 12 large boxes of Bosqu cigarettes, each containing 50 reams, for a total of 600 reams.

Police said the seized items totaled 1,630 reams of alleged illicit cigarettes.

This follows the dismantling of a reported large-scale illegal cigarette manufacturing and distribution network in Negros Occidental last month, allegedly involving Chinese nationals, which led to the discovery of nearly PHP 800 million worth of equipment, raw materials, and packaging supplies here and in Bago City on April 21.

The PRO-NIR said strengthened vigilance against illegal tobacco plays a crucial role in the community.

By intercepting noncompliant cigarettes, authorities not only protect public health but also disrupt illegal distribution, it said.

The regional office said it remains committed to intensifying enforcement efforts while fostering strong community partnerships to ensure unlawful activities are promptly reported and effectively addressed.