P1 million worth of smuggled cigarettes seized in Cotabato province

This combination of photos shows police officers inspecting boxes of smuggled cigarettes seized at a checkpoint in Makilala, Cotabato, on Sunday, November 14, 2021, and the handgun seized from one of the five arrested suspects. (PNP Soccsksargen)

KIDAPAWAN CITY — Police authorities foiled an attempt by suspected smugglers to transport some P1 million worth of cigarettes on Sunday, November 14, and arrested five suspects.

Brig. Gen. Alexander Tagum, police director of the Soccsksargen region, said police operatives manning checkpoints in Barangay Old Bulatukan, Makilala town in Cotabato province were alerted about an oncoming truck loaded with smuggled cigarettes.

Tagum said the contrabands were loaded in a 6-wheeler cargo truck that was flagged down by authorities and when inspected, yielded undocumented boxes of cigarettes and an unlicensed gun.

“They were to bring the cigarettes to General Santos City from Davao del Sur,” Tagum said.

He identified the suspects as Rey Arnold Etil Mariscal, Rheno Quiao Mariscal, Romulo Calibo Soria, Pablito Agravante Elorcha, and Glenn Torres Judilla who are now detained at the Police Regional Office in Tambler, General Santos City.