CAMP ALAGAR, Cagayan de Oro City : Northern Mindanao police seized smuggled cigarettes valued at P103 million during the first six months this year from January 1, 2025 to June 22, 2025, a police report said Tuesday.
Newly appointed police regional director Brig Gen. Rolindo M. Suguilon, said that the amount is P88.5 million higher than the P14.5 million worth of smuggled cigarettes seized during the same period last year.
He said that a total of 111 anti-smuggling operations were launched across the Northern Mindanao region in 2025 with Lanao Del Norte topping the list of seizures of illegal cigarettes valued at P 31.3 million followed by Misamis Oriental with a net value of P27.6 million smuggled cigarettes.
Suguilon underscored the effectiveness of the police Regional Mobile Police Force (RMF) in the conduct of the operation because the smuggled cigarettes were frequently intercepted in the border checkpoints where the RMPF are posted in coordination with the provincial police.
The regional police director also attributed the success of the operations to the intensified enforcement initiatives and inter-agency coordination with the Bureau of Customs, Philippine Coast Guard, and local government units.
“The fight against smuggling requires the vigilance and cooperation of our communities. I call on the public to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small. Sa tulong ninyo, mas mapapalakas pa natin ang ating kampanya,” (Your help will make our campaign stronger), Suguilon said.
