Camille Naredo

People smoke their cigarettes in Quezon city, March 22, 2017.

People smoke their cigarettes in Quezon city, March 22, 2017. The Duterte administration is carefully studying an executive order on a nationwide smoking ban, admitting that Davao city, where smoking ban is in place, is different from the rest of the country. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

cigarettes

Michael Delizo

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is looking into the possible use of backdoor channels and the involvement of law enforcers in the entry of smuggled cigarettes into the country, officials said Tuesday.Philippine National Police–Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) Director Brig. Gen. Hansel Marantan said authorities have been receiving reports on the involvement of security forces that are still subject to validation.Marantan cited the recent arrest of two Philippine Coast Guard members in the Caraga region some two weeks ago for their alleged involvement in the trade of illicit cigarettes.&quot;Kung sabihin kong walang involvement ang security forces, will you believe me?&quot; Marantan said. &quot;The challenge now is transforming the intelligence information into substantial evidence in order to come up with a good case against these security personnel. Give us some more time.&quot;<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/24/truckloads-of-illicit-tobacco-products-seized-by-hpg-ncr-and-bir-in-valenzuela-1331">READ: Truckloads of illicit tobacco products seized by HPG-NCR and BIR in Valenzuela</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/12/31/over-p1-b-of-suspected-smuggled-cigarettes-seized-in-batangas-city-2147">READ: Over P1-B of suspected smuggled cigarettes seized in Batangas City</a></div>PNP Director for Operations Maj. Gen. Ronnie Francis Cariaga said police are focusing on case buildup to gather enough evidence to establish collusion between law enforcers and smugglers.&quot;Meron kaming nakita na involvement ng mga pulis but again, these are raw information. Kapag hindi kami makakuha ng solid na ebidensya, we cannot proceed with the prosecution,&quot; Cariaga said.Cariaga admitted the need to strengthen security in ports being used as backdoor channels for smuggling, noting that the situation is particularly challenging for the Philippines as an archipelagic country.As of 2024, based on studies and surveys, some of the areas commonly used as backdoor entry points are in parts of Mindanao, including the Lanao area.&quot;Hindi natin masyadong napo-protektahan ang mga dagat natin. Lately nga, maraming mga na-involve sa mga nag-capture na mga barko, eh hindi natin nababantayan,&quot; Cariaga said.Recent police raids resulted in the seizure of more than ₱3.3 billion worth of illicit tobacco products, including ₱1.1 billion worth of contraband in Batangas and ₱1.5 billion in Malabon.The most recent operation was on January 23, when inter-agency operatives raided a storage facility in Valenzuela City and seized ₱516 million worth of illicit cigarettes.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is looking into the possible use of backdoor channels and the involvement of law enforcers in the entry of smuggled cigarettes into the country, officials said Tuesday.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is looking into the possible use of backdoor channels and the involvement of law enforcers in the entry of smuggled cigarettes into the country, officials said Tuesday.

PNP notes backdoor channels, rogue law enforcers in cigarette smuggling

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PNP notes backdoor channels, rogue law enforcers in cigarette smuggling

Michael Delizo,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 27, 2026 02:49 PM PHT

Read More:

smuggling

cigarettes

PNP

Highway Patrol Group

Philippine National Police

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