IN WHAT LOOKS more like an effort to quell a bad reputation embarking on a culture of corruption, the Philippine National Police (PNP) pulled off a surprise operation that saw lawmen turn down what could have filled their Noche Buena table sumptuous food that only the rich and famous can afford.
On December 17, operatives from the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) Special Division with other units of the Philippine National Police (PNP) intercepted two trailer trucks along Araneta Avenue in Quezon City.
What was supposed to be a ramdom check on the vehicles’ registration, yielded P143-million worth of smuggled cigarettes.
COORDINATION IS KEY
According to HPG director Brigadier General Hansel Marantan, the operation that led to the confiscation of the smuggled cigarettes was done in close coordination with the Bureau of Customs (BoC) headed by Brig. Gen. Nolasco Bathan.
In a statement, Bathan attributed the successful bid to thwart the illicit trade to acting PNP chief Lieutenant Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.’ strict implementation of a policy warranting operational coordination.
Inspection on the trailer trucks revealed that the vehicles were unregistered and carrying an estimated 2,000 boxes of undocumented cigarettes believed to be illegally imported without paying the required tariff.
CONTRABAND TRAIL
Initial reports disclosed that the smuggled shipment was allegedly picked up from Bauan, Batangas and was bound for Valenzuela City for which the HPG units immediately coordinated with the BoC and other partner agencies to secure the cargo, preserve evidence and trace the network behind the shipment.
Authorities underscored that the prompt coordination ensured that the case was handled deliberately and in accordance with established legal procedures.
On the same day that the trucks were flagged, authorities received verified information regarding attempts to bribe in exchange for the release of the smuggled cigarettes.
P5M BRIBE ATTEMPT
At around 3:35 p.m., personnel of the Regional Highway Patrol Unit 3 conducted an entrapment operation at Camp Olivas in San Fernando, Pampanga.
During the second operation, suspects allegedly offered ₱5 million for the in exchange for the release of the impounded trucks.
Three individuals were arrested and the marked money was recovered. Those arrested were identified as Gener Manzanero Gonzales, 58, Rogie Aycardo Rueda, 40, and Loreto Andal Gertes Jr., 48.
NO WAY TO BEND LAW
In a statement following the seizure of the contraband cigarettes, interior and local government Secretary Jonvic Remulla reiterated that the government will never allow public roads to be used for illegal trade nor tolerate bribery or attempts to undermine law enforcement.
For his part, Gen. Nartatez vowed to continue to reinforce its institutional line through the enforcement of decisions governed by law and not influence and attempts to corrupt police officers.