6 PCG officers facing raps over P3 million smuggled cigarettes

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April 19, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Administrative and criminal charges are being readied against six personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in connection with the seizure of smuggled cigarettes worth P3 million in Naawan, Misamis Oriental.

PCG spokesperson Cmdre. Noemie Cayabyab said the PCG is conducting a parallel probe into the arrest of its personnel, and cooperating with the Philippine National Police (PNP) to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation.

“The command maintains a zero-tolerance policy against any form of illegal activity. Personnel found to have violated the law will face administrative and criminal proceedings. If proven guilty, sanctions will be imposed including dismissal from the service with forfeiture of benefits,” Cayabyab said.

The PNP said the arrest stemmed from information that some personnel of the PCG are involved in cigarette smuggling in Mindanao.

Probers withheld the identities of the officers pending results of the investigation.

Among those arrested were two personnel of the PCG-Southwestern Northern Mindanao and one each from El Salvador City, Laguindingan, Libertad and Lugait substations.

The arresting team found 205 master cases of illegal cigarettes loaded in an L-300 van.

Cayabyab said the incident does not reflect the standards being upheld by the PCG, which she said remains committed to integrity and accountability in public service.

She assured the public that the PCG would act into the incident to uphold institutional integrity and maintain public trust.