
Two men were arrested by the personnel of Arayat Municipal Police Station after they were caught with fake cigarettes in a checkpoint at 5 am on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in Barangay Mapalad, of said town.
Police said that 60 undocumented boxes of cigarettes, worth ?900,000 were recovered from one “Gerald,” of Barangay Sta. Cruz, Lubao, Pampanga; and “Noel,” of Barangay Durungao, San Luis, Batangas.
Policemen said they tried to block the suspects' who were then onboard a vehicle at a Comelec checkpoint.
Instead of stopping, the two men tried to escape towards Cabiao, Nueva Ecija but the cops pursued and arrested the suspects.
A white Nissan NV350 Urvan used was also confiscated from the suspects.
Police said the suspects failed to present shipment papers for the items.
The two are now facing charges in court for violation of Republic Act 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines, Republic Act 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines and Republic Act 1937 or the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines.
Brigadier General Jean S. Fajardo, director of Police Regional Office 3, commended her men for this accomplishment.
"Catching suspects and confiscating smugglers is a clear proof of the competence and dedication of our police here in Region 3. We will never miss these types of illegal activities that not only destroy our economy but also spread wrong business in our society," the police official said.
"We will continue to intensify the campaign against counterfeit products and lawless individuals. With the help of increased police presence and cooperation of the citizens, criminals in Central Luzon will not succeed," she added.