CAMP ALAGAR, Cagayan de Oro City – Personnel of the 1003rd Maneuver Company, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 10 (RMFB10), in coordination with the Damulog Municipal Police Station (MPS), Bukidnon Police Intelligence Unit (PIU), Bukidnon Provincial Highway Patrol Team (PHPT), 2nd Bukidnon Provincial Mobile Force Company (2nd BUKPMFC), and the 1004th Maneuver Company, RMFB10, successfully apprehended two individuals and seized PhP3.4 million worth of alleged smuggled cigarettes during an intensified checkpoint operation conducted at the Regional Border Control Point in Barangay Omonay, Damulog, Bukidnon on January 13, 2026.
During the intensified checkpoint operation, authorities flagged down two vehicles driven by alias “Jojo,” 31, married, a resident of Quezon, Bukidnon, and alias “Rez,” 22, single, from San Isidro, General Santos City. Upon lawful inspection, several master cases of suspected smuggled cigarettes were found in plain view inside the vehicles. The cigarettes lacked the required government health warning labels, in violation of existing laws and regulations, which led to their apprehension.
Meanwhile, during the ongoing inspection, a third vehicle, which was next in line for inspection, forcibly breached the checkpoint and fled the area. The operating units immediately conducted a hot pursuit operation, which led to the discovery of the abandoned vehicle parked in front of the Damulog Public Bus Terminal in Barangay Poblacion, Damulog, Bukidnon. The vehicle was positively identified by the two apprehended drivers as belonging to their companion. Upon inspection, personnel found a key still inserted in the ignition and discovered suspected smuggled cigarettes in plain view inside the vehicle.
Seized and confiscated items during the operation included 80 master cases and 361 reams of Red Seven Kings cigarettes, with an estimated market value of PhP3,488,800.00, along with three vehicles.
The two arrested suspects, along with the seized and confiscated items and the vehicles, were turned over to the Bureau of Customs (BOC)–Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental for appropriate disposition in accordance with existing laws and regulations.
PBGEN CHRISTOPHER N ABRAHANO, Regional Director, PRO10, lauded the operating units for their vigilance and coordinated efforts.
“PRO10 remains relentless in strengthening border security and enforcing the law to prevent the proliferation of illegal goods. We will continue to intensify our operations to protect the public and uphold the rule of law across Northern Mindanao” he said.
SOURCE: RPIO PRO10
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