• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A police major is now being investigated by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation Group (PNP-CIDG) for his alleged involvement in the large-scale illegal cigarette manufacturing in Negros Occidental.
The link was revealed by Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla during a recent press briefing in Barangay Calumangan, Bago City, where authorities discovered a factory of illegal cigarettes on April 21.
The operation also led to the arrest of 10 Chinese nationals and the rescue of 15 Filipino workers, among them a minor.
Remulla said that the police major, who is now under the PNP custody, served as a protector of the syndicate.
Initial police investigation showed that the PNP official rented the warehouse used as a factory of illegal cigarettes, which has been operating since June last year.
In separate raids in the cities of Bago and Bacolod, the joint operations of the PNP and the National Tobacco Administration netted almost P800 million worth of equipment, raw materials and finished products.
In a statement, the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) said the alleged involvement of a police commissioned officer in the production of counterfeit cigarettes in Bago City is now being investigated by the CIDG.
The PRO-NIR emphasized that it is never remiss in disciplining its personnel and does not tolerate any involvement in illegal activities.
“Any member of the organization found to have violated the law, rules, or ethical standards shall be dealt with accordingly and subjected to appropriate administrative and criminal proceedings,” it added.
Remulla said the Chinese syndicate engaged in the illegal manufacture of cigarettes is also believed to be involved in the illegal e-sabong operations in Talisay City, Negros Occidental raided by the police on April 23.
The raid of the illegal online cockfighting operation in Barangay Concepcion led to the arrest of 30 individuals.
Two individuals were also rescued while a minor, who was also found on-site, is under proper care and protection.
Authorities said the location being used for the illegal online cockfighting activity is run by an organized group.
Equipment used for live streaming, communication devices, and various cockfighting paraphernalia were recovered. | GB
