Dennis Gasgonia

Article (news)

Jeff Caparas

ABS-CBN News

DIGOS CITY — The Police Regional Special Operations Group 11 (RSOG 11) has arrested two men and confiscated an estimated ₱22 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes during an operation in Barangay Dawis, Digos City, on Friday, February 6, 2026.RSOG 11 chief Police Lt. Col. Maynard Pascual identified the arrested suspects as an alias Edgar and alias Leonardo. The apprehension took place at around 11:18 a.m. in Purok Kitong when personnel of the RSOG 11 led by Police Major Albert Allan Almario Jr. were conducting surveillance related to a separate operation against a wanted person. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/5/remulla-2-northern-luzon-politicians-believed-behind-illegal-cigarette-operations-1316">Remulla: 2 northern Luzon politicians believed behind illegal cigarette operations</a></div>“During the operation, the team—composed of RSOG 11, Digos City Police Station, PIT Davao del Sur RIU 11, and the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) Davao del Sur—incidentally discovered the two suspects hauling and transporting large quantities of cigarettes. The suspects failed to present any legal documents covering the shipment,” said Pascual. Upon inspection, authorities recovered 440 master cases of assorted cigarette brands without the required graphic health warnings. The items are believed to be smuggled and were estimated to have a market value of ₱22,000,000.Police said the incident constitutes a violation of Section 7 of Republic Act No. 12022, or the law defining crimes of agricultural and economic sabotage, as well as Republic Act No. 10643, which mandates graphic health warnings on tobacco products. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/2/5/6-chinese-63-filipinos-nabbed-in-pampanga-raid-on-alleged-illegal-cigarette-factory-0757">6 Chinese nabbed, 65 Filipinos rescued in Pampanga raid on alleged illegal cigarette factory</a></div>The seized cigarettes will be subjected to Bureau of Internal Revenue verification, while the suspects are currently under the custody of the Digos City Police Station. Authorities are preparing formal charges against the suspects for violations of RA 12022 and RA 10643.

Police have arrested two men and confiscated an estimated ₱22 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes during an operation in Barangay Dawis, Digos City, on Friday, February 6, 2026.

Police have arrested two men and confiscated an estimated ₱22 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes during an operation in Barangay Dawis, Digos City, on Friday, February 6, 2026.

₱22-M worth of smuggled cigarettes seized in Digos City; 2 arrested

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₱22-M worth of smuggled cigarettes seized in Digos City; 2 arrested

Jeff Caparas,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 06, 2026 05:30 PM PHT

Read More:

Cigarette

Smuggling

Digos

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