CAMP OLIVAS, City of San Fernando, Pampanga — The Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) continues to sustain intensified anti-illicit trade operations, seizing over P1.38 million worth of illegal cigarettes in separate operations conducted on April 6-7, 2026 in Nueva Ecija and Pampanga, while ongoing crackdowns are also being intensified in Bulacan and Tarlac as part of a regionwide enforcement effort.
At around 11:30 p.m. on April 6, 2026, joint operatives intercepted a white Nissan Urvan during a checkpoint operation in Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija, recovering 85 boxes of illicit cigarettes worth P1.02 million. Two suspects – a 46-year-old driver and a 36-year-old helper – were arrested after failing to present proper documents.
Meanwhile, at about 12:20 p.m. on April 7, 2026, operatives of the Pampanga Police Intelligence Unit (PIU), in coordination with Arayat MPS, conducted a buy-bust operation in Arayat, Pampanga, resulting in the arrest of a 43-year-old male suspect for violation of the National Internal Revenue Code. Confiscated were 19 boxes of illegal cigarettes worth P360,000 and a vehicle, while another suspect remains at large.
All confiscated items lacked required BIR tax stamps. Cases are being prepared for filing before the appropriate prosecutor’s office.
Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Director P/Col. Ritchie Claravall underscored the effectiveness of sustained checkpoint operations in intercepting illegal goods, while Pampanga Police Provincial Director PCOL Eugence Marcelo emphasized intensified intelligence-driven efforts against illicit trade, reaffirming their commitment to aggressive enforcement at the provincial level.
PRO3 Regional Director P/Brig. Gen. Jess B. Mendez emphasized the broader impact of the operations:
“This is about protecting our economy, ensuring fair business practices, and safeguarding government revenues. We will continuously sustain and intensify our operations in line with the PNP Focused Agenda and our commitment to deliver service that is mabilis, tapat, at nararamdaman.”
PBGEN Mendez further directed all units to maintain aggressive checkpoints, strengthen intelligence coordination, and intensify monitoring of key transport routes, in support of the SILG Hon. Juanito Victor C. Remulla’s whole-of-government approach and the Chief, PNP P/Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr.’s directive for proactive interdiction and strict enforcement of economic laws.
PRO3 reaffirmed its commitment to relentlessly combat illegal trade and uphold economic security across Central Luzon. (UnliNews Online)
