Three individuals were arrested on September 24 after authorities intercepted ₱900,000 (USD 15,500) worth of counterfeit cigarettes during a checkpoint operation in Barangay Mataas na Kahoy, General M. Natividad, Nueva Ecija. The operation, conducted by personnel of the General M. Natividad Municipal Police Station under Oplan Sita (an anti-smuggling initiative) took place at around 4:30 a.m. Officers flagged down a van and a white utility reefer van, leading to the discovery of 97 boxes of untaxed cigarettes and three boxes of a different brand cigarettes, all lacking proper permits and tax documents.
Authorities also seized five mobile phones allegedly used to coordinate the illegal transactions. The suspects were identified, all residents of Purok Sampaguita, Barangay Bincungan, Tagum City, Davao del Norte. Police confirmed the three will be charged under the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (RA 8293) for distributing counterfeit goods.
Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Director commended the General M. Natividad MPS team for their successful operation, citing it as an example of effective inter-unit coordination in dismantling illicit trade networks. PRO3 Regional Director linked the operation to the PNP’s Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO) strategy, emphasizing its importance in combating illegal trade that threatens public health and legitimate businesses. The seized items and suspects remain in police custody pending the formal filing of charges, while the regional director reaffirmed their commitment to intensified checkpoints and intelligence-driven operations across Central Luzon in line with the PNP’s 7 Focus Agenda on public safety.
