02/01/2026
READ | PRESS RELEASE: NAPOLCOM CHIEF COMMENDS PNP FOR MAJOR SEIZURE
OF PHP2.6-B WORTH OF ALLEGED SMUGGLED CI******ES
National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Chief Commissioner Ralph Calinisan has commended the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the successful seizure of an estimated PHP2.6 billion worth of alleged smuggled ci******es during separate law-enforcement operations in Batangas and Malabon on New Year’s Eve.
Commissioner Calinisan praised the vigilance and operational effectiveness of the PNP, emphasizing that the large-scale confiscation underscores the importance of sustained intelligence-driven operations and inter-agency coordination in combating smuggling and other organized crimes.
“Ang laban kontra smuggling ay laban para sa bayan. Hindi lamang ito usapin ng ilegal na produkto, kundi ng ninanakaw na pondo para sa serbisyo publiko at ng tiwalang inaasahan ng taumbayan sa kanilang gobyerno. Pinupuri natin ang PNP sa kanilang malasakit, tapang, at malasakit sa tungkulin,” Calinisan said.
The PNP has launched a thorough investigation to determine whether there is a connection between the PHP1.1 billion worth of smuggled ci******es discovered during an anti-carnapping operation in Batangas City and the PHP1.5 billion worth of unregistered imported ci******es seized in Malabon City.
The Batangas discovery was made after operatives of the PNP-Highway Patrol Group (HPG) tracked a stolen red Hyundai Accent reported missing in Las Piñas City. During a site inspection in Sitio Singko, Balete, Batangas City, HPG personnel found several trucks and container vans later confirmed to be loaded with smuggled ci******es.
Meanwhile, in a separate operation in Malabon City, HPG operatives arrested four individuals and confiscated approximately PHP1.5 billion worth of unregistered imported ci******es. The operation resulted from a police pursuit after two motorcycle riders without helmets evaded authorities. The suspects were cornered inside a logistics facility along M.H. Del Pilar Avenue, where 18 containers of undocumented ci******es were discovered.
Commissioner Calinisan reiterated NAPOLCOM’s full support for the PNP’s efforts to dismantle smuggling networks, stressing that such illegal activities deprive the government of vital revenues and undermine public trust. He also called for the swift filing of strong cases against all individuals found to be involved.
