DILG secretary 'Jonvic' Remulla commends PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. for successful seizure of ₱143 million worth of smuggled cigarettes. (Photo supplied)
By Tracy Cabrera
IN the early hours of December 17, operatives from the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) Special Division with other units of the Philippine National Police (PNP) intercepted two trailer trucks at G. Araneta Avenue while about to transport a shipment of suspected smuggled cigarettes worth more than ₱143-million.
According to HPG director Brigadier General Hansel Marantan, the successful operation that led to the confiscation of the smuggled cigarettes was done in close coordination with the Bureau of Customs (BoC) headed by Brig. Gen. Nolasco Bathan who lauded the PNP’s frontline operations against the illegal trade in contraband goods under the leadership of acting national police chief Lieutenant Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.
Inspection on the trailer trucks revealed that the vehicles were unregistered and carrying an estimated 2,000 boxes of cigarettes believed to be undocumented and illegally imported without paying the required tariff.
Initial reports disclosed that the smuggled shipment was allegedly picked up from Bauan, Batangas and was bound for Valenzuela City but acting on clear command guidance, HPG units immediately coordinated with the BoC and other partner agencies to secure the cargo, preserve evidence and begin tracing the network behind the shipment.
Authorities underscored that the prompt coordination ensured that the case was handled deliberately and in accordance with established legal procedures.
The case escalated later that same day after authorities received verified information regarding attempts to improperly influence law enforcement officers through bribes for the release of the smuggled cigarettes. At around 3:35 p.m., personnel of the Regional Highway Patrol Unit 3 conducted an entrapment operation at Camp Olivas in San Fernando, Pampanga.
During the operation, suspects allegedly offered ₱5 million in exchange for favorable action on the release of the impounded trucks. Three individuals were arrested and the marked money was recovered. Those arrested were identified as Gener Manzanero Gonzales, 58, Rogie Aycardo Rueda, 40, and Loreto Andal Gertes Jr., 48.
In a statement following the seizure of the contraband cigarettes, interior and local government secretary Juanito Victor ‘Jonvic’ Remulla reiterated that the government will never allow public roads to be used for illegal trade nor tolerate bribery or attempts to undermine law enforcement.
For his part, Gen. Nartatez vowed that under his leadership, the PNP will continue to reinforce its institutional line through the enforcement of decisions that are governed by law and not influence and attempts to corrupt police officers will be met with swift and lawful action.
