Batangas city: Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has directed all police units to investigate the potential link between PHP2.6 billion worth of smuggled cigarettes intercepted in Batangas City and Malabon City on New Year's Eve.

According to Philippines News Agency,the investigation aims to identify whether the seizures of undocumented tobacco products in both cities are connected, suggesting the involvement of the same group or individuals using a similar modus operandi. Intelligence work and coordination with various government entities are currently underway to determine the specifics of the operation.

On Wednesday morning, the PNP Highway Patrol Group (HPG) uncovered approximately PHP1.1 billion worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes in Batangas City, initially during an anti-car theft operation. Later that night, another seizure of about PHP1.5 billion worth of cigarettes occurred at a dockyard in Malabon City, also during an anti-car theft initiative.

Lt. Gen. Nartatez confirmed that the PNP is collaborating with the Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Internal Revenue, and other law enforcement agencies to trace the origin, distribution channels, and possible financiers of the confiscated goods. He emphasized that the operations are not minor offenses but involve large-scale logistics, significant capital investment, and warehouse-level storage, indicating organized crime involvement.

"These two cases are serious offenses. We will exhaust all the measures to identify those responsible. We will get to the bottom of this case," Nartatez assured the public.