Negros oriental: The Highway Patrol Group (HPG) in Negros Oriental has identified persons of interest in the smuggling of cigarettes from Mindanao to Basay, Negros Oriental, an official said Monday. Executive M/Sgt. Aurelio Bodo, chief of the Special Operations Team for Negros Oriental, stated that the suspects are from Mindanao, 'based on information collected from the vehicle' that was loaded with boxes of cigarettes found in Barangay Nagbo-alao on Oct. 11.

According to Philippines News Agency, Bodo mentioned that a complaint will also be filed against the owner of the vehicle, as the other three delivery vans that were at the site were found empty. A subsequent inventory by the Bureau of Internal Revenue confirmed 574 master cases of undocumented cigarettes, valued at PHP24.5 million, were loaded in the vehicle. Each master case contained 50 reams of 10 packs each.

Bodo explained that the cigarettes were transported to Basay on board a motor banca (outrigger) that arrived unnoticed. The delivery vehicles, traced through their license plates, are believed to have been empty when they arrived in the province. Bodo noted that they are collaborating with the Coast Guard and maritime police to enhance coastal surveillance and prevent smugglers from entering Negros Oriental.