9 ‘smugglers’ nabbed in Maguindanao

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Nine people, including a policeman, were arrested in an anti-smuggling operation in Maguindanao del Norte on Friday.

The operation resulted in the seizure of illegal cigarettes valued at P1.9 million, authorities said.

Pat. Camlon Basagan of the Bangsamoro police’s Regional Mobile Force Battalion 14-A and his alleged accomplices – Mohaimen Akmad, Ariel Aldamar, Titing Angkap, Totoh Armonio, Norodin Baltao, Aminodin Hadjirakman, Alrahib Pendatu and Satap Pendatu – were arrested at the boundary of Parang and Matanog towns, according to Brig Gen. Jaysen de Guzman, Bangsamoro police director.

The suspects were allegedly planning to deliver 129 boxes of Indonesian-made cigarettes when the police raided their hideout.

The suspects reportedly opened fire at the raiding team, triggering a firefight that lasted 10 minutes.

Aside from boxes of cigarettes, police seized a Toyota Innova, multicab and an Isuzu Elf truck used in transporting the contraband.