The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported Saturday the seizure of nearly P240 million worth of smuggled cigarettes over the past two months amid its sweeping nationwide crackdown on smuggling and ongoing fight against economic sabotage.
Between August 26 and October 16, the PNP conducted 335 anti-smuggling operations across the country, 311 of which specifically targeted the illegal cigarette trade.
These efforts resulted in the arrest of 267 individuals and the confiscation of smuggled cigarettes valued at P239,639,651.
Acting PNP chief P/LtGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez said the intensified operations follow President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to protect the national economy by cracking down on smuggling and other illicit activities.
The campaign is carried out under the PNP’s Focus Agenda and the Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO) framework, which prioritizes community protection and the dismantling of organized crime networks.
Leading the successful operations were Police Regional Office 6 (Western Visayas) with seizures amounting to P58.9 million, followed by PRO 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) with P56.2 million, and PRO 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN) with P47.7 million worth of illegal tobacco products.
Nartatez praised the efforts of the operating units, stating the campaign sends “a clear message that the PNP stands firm in defending the nation’s economic integrity.”
“Smuggling is more than a crime—it is a betrayal of the honest Filipino worker and business owner,” Nartatez said. “Every pack of illicit cigarettes seized means revenue saved for our government and opportunities restored for our people.”
Nartatez also linked the campaign to the Marcos administration’s Bagong Pilipinas vision, which aims to build a fairer and more resilient economy.
He emphasized that the police will continue to work closely with key government agencies to shut down smuggling syndicates and ensure law enforcement contributes to national growth.
The PNP reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the Bureau of Customs, local government units, and other law enforcement partners to strengthen border security and sustain the momentum of its anti-smuggling operations.