CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Authorities confiscated an estimated ₱900,000 worth of suspected counterfeit cigarettes and arrested two suspects during a checkpoint operation in Barangay Mapalad, Arayat, Pampanga, around 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 14.
According to a report from Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3), operatives from the Arayat Municipal Police Station flagged down a vehicle at a Comelec checkpoint. Instead of stopping, the suspects attempted to flee toward Cabiao, Nueva Ecija, but were quickly intercepted.
The suspects, identified by their aliases “Gerald” of Barangay Sta. Cruz, Lubao, Pampanga, and “Noel” of Barangay Durungao, San Luis, Batangas, were found transporting 60 boxes of undocumented cigarettes onboard a white Nissan NV350 Urvan.
Upon inspection, the suspects failed to present proper documentation proving the legitimacy of the cargo. They are now facing charges for violating Republic Act 7394 (Consumer Act of the Philippines), Republic Act 8293 (Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines), and Republic Act 1937 (Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines).
Police Brigadier General Jean S. Fajardo, PRO3 regional director, lauded the swift action of the police operatives and reiterated the agency’s firm stance against the proliferation of counterfeit goods.
“This operation demonstrates our commitment to protecting consumers and ensuring that illicit trade is curtailed in Central Luzon,” Fajardo said. “We will continue to intensify our crackdown on fake products and hold violators accountable under the law.”