The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested a man in a buy-bust operation for selling illegal vape products in Cotabato City.
The suspect, identified as John Rheven Mallari, will be charged with violation of Republic Act 11900, otherwise known as the “Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act,” and Republic Act (RA) 7394, or the “Consumer Act of the Philippines.”
The operation was prompted by a letter from the Department of Trade and Industry, Office for Special Mandate on Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products, their Devices, and Novel Tobacco Products (DTI-OSMV), Agt. III Ramil A. Datusataviran, Agent III on case.
It provided references to support the enforcement operations, including: a) a briefer on vape-related offenses with criminal penalties; b) a Social Card guide to assist in identifying non-compliant vapor products; and c) a link to the official DTI-OSMV website, which contains an updated list of PS license holders and trading suspensions.
In response, the NBI conducted surveillance to verify the existence of a vape shop/store in Cotabato City. Once the store was confirmed, a test buy was made.
On 5 August 2025, an entrapment operation was set. NBI agents observed that the vape store was openly displaying vape sets for sale without the proper point-of-sale signage required under RA 11900.
Some of the products had Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) stickers, while others did not. During the operation, Mallari cooperated and freely handed over the vapes that lacked BIR stickers.
He was then placed under arrest for the above-stated violations and informed of his constitutional rights before being taken to the NBI-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Office.
The subject was subsequently submitted for inquest proceedings before the Prosecutor’s Office of Cotabato City.
NBI chief Jaime Santiago commended the NBI-BARMM for the successful operation, saying it demonstrates the Bureau’s continued efforts to pursue and apprehend individuals engaged in illegal activities.