NAVY INTERCEPTS ₱20-M SMUGGLED CIGARETTES OFF DAVAO COAST

In a bold and coordinated maritime interception, the Philippine Navy successfully seized an estimated ₱20 million worth of suspected smuggled foreign-brand cigarettes off the coast of Davao City, further underscoring the Armed Forces’ commitment to coastal law enforcement and national security.

Naval authorities confirmed that on June 7, 2025, during routine patrol operations near Dumoy Point, the BRP Herminigildo Yurong (PG906) under Naval Task Force 71 of the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao spotted a suspicious motorized banca offloading boxes onto the shoreline.

As the Navy vessel closed in, individuals aboard the banca reportedly abandoned their posts and quickly fled, leaving behind the vessel and its cargo.

The intercepted craft, identified as M/B Sharefa, was found to be loaded with approximately 800 master cases of undocumented foreign-brand cigarettes, widely believed to have been illegally smuggled into the country. The estimated value of the cargo stands at a staggering ₱20 million.

Navy personnel from PG906, along with operatives from the Naval Special Operations Unit 7, managed to secure the watercraft and tow it out of the shallow area. It was subsequently escorted to Naval Station Felix Apolinario (NSFA) in Panacan, Davao City, where it docked safely on June 8.

The seized vessel and contraband were turned over to the Bureau of Customs and other relevant authorities for proper documentation and further investigation.

In an official statement, the Philippine Navy reiterated its “unwavering commitment to combat maritime smuggling, safeguard national borders, and preserve regional maritime stability.” The operation is part of a broader campaign to tighten maritime surveillance and enforcement in Mindanao’s eastern seaboard, which has been known as a vulnerable corridor for illicit trade.

Authorities have not yet identified the individuals behind the smuggling attempt, but an investigation is ongoing.

This latest operation serves as a warning to smugglers and syndicates operating in the region, signaling that the Philippine Navy is intensifying its efforts to block illegal maritime activity, especially amid growing concerns over national security and economic sabotage.