CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — Authorities from Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) arrested 19 individuals and confiscated an estimated Php150 million worth of illicit cigarettes in a major anti-smuggling operation conducted in Baliwag City on April 14, 2026.
The operation followed a weeklong series of anti-smuggling actions across Central Luzon, demonstrating the regional police’s intensified campaign against illegal trade and economic sabotage.
According to PRO3, operatives from the Regional Special Operations Group 3 (RSOG3), in coordination with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Bulacan Provincial Field Unit and the Baliwag City Police Station, acted on intelligence reports about the transfer of illicit cigarettes along the DRT Highway in Barangay Tarcan.
At around 6:00 a.m., authorities caught the suspects in the act of unloading boxes of cigarettes from container vans into smaller delivery trucks intended for distribution.
Police recovered more than 2,000 boxes of cigarettes bearing the brands MODERN and RGD, all lacking the required tax stamps from the Bureau of Internal Revenue, indicating non-payment of excise taxes.
Authorities said the seizure constitutes violations of Republic Act No. 8424, Republic Act No. 10643, and Republic Act No. 12022.
Six vehicles used in transporting the illegal products were also seized during the operation. Police said the inventory of confiscated items is still ongoing.
PRO3 Regional Director Jess B. Mendez said the operation underscores the region’s continuing crackdown on illicit trade networks.
“After a week of focused operations, this is another significant accomplishment. Ibig sabihin, tuloy-tuloy ang ating kampanya—hindi lang sunod-sunod, kundi mas pinapalawak pa natin ang ating aksyon laban sa illicit trade,” Mendez said.
He added that authorities remain relentless in pursuing all levels of the illegal trade network operating in the region.
The operation was carried out in line with the directive of Juanito Victor C. Remulla, Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., Chief of the Philippine National Police, to intensify the campaign against economic sabotage through a whole-of-government approach.
All arrested suspects and confiscated evidence are currently under the custody of RSOG3 for documentation and proper disposition. Authorities also confirmed that follow-up operations are underway to locate other individuals involved in the illegal activity, including nine suspects who remain at large. (Jason de Asis)