CAMP ALAGAR, Cagayan de Oro City – Personnel of the 1003rd Maneuver Company, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 10 (RMFB10), in coordination with the Bukidnon Provincial Intelligence Unit (BUKPIU) and the San Fernando Municipal Police Station (MPS), successfully seized alleged smuggled cigarettes and apprehended an individual during a joint checkpoint operation at the Regional Border Control Point in Brgy. Kalagangan, San Fernando, Bukidnon, on January 11, 2026.
During the intensified checkpoint operation, authorities flagged down a commuter van driven by alias “Rob,” 37 years old, married, and a resident of Brgy. Magatos, Asuncion, Davao del Norte. The vehicle was traversing from Quezon, Bukidnon, toward Kapalong, Davao del Norte.
Upon approach and inspection, operatives observed in plain view several master cases of alleged smuggled cigarettes stacked inside the vehicle. The cigarettes were found without the required government health warning stickers. When asked to present pertinent documents, the driver failed to produce any legal papers, prompting his immediate apprehension.
Further investigation revealed that the suspect had been engaged in illegal cigarette trading since 2020 and had been delivering contraband to various areas in Davao del Norte before being intercepted at the Bukidnon Border Control Point.
Confiscated during the operation were 18 master cases of Red “FORT” cigarettes with an estimated market value of PhP720,000.00, along with one unit commuter van.
The apprehended individual, together with the confiscated smuggled cigarettes and vehicle, was brought to the San Fernando MPS for proper documentation. The seized items will subsequently be turned over to the Bureau of Customs in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, for proper disposition.
PBGEN CHRISTOPHER N ABRAHANO, Regional Director, PRO10, commended the swift and coordinated action of the operating units in implementing intensified checkpoint operations.
“These intensified checkpoint operations ensure the interception of illegal activities and prevent the movement of contraband within the region. PRO10 stands firm in strengthening border security and law enforcement efforts to safeguard the public and uphold the rule of law” he said.
SOURCE: RPIO PRO10
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