Navy questions lighter charges filed vs. cigarette smugglers

The Philippine Navy Eastern Mindanao will ask police authorities in Davao City why lighter charges were filed against two Filipinos and two undocumented Indonesians caught with smuggled cigarettes off Balut Island last September 14.
Eastern Mindanao Naval Forces public affairs chief Lt. Commander Jerome Mauring said Navymen handed over the four arrested to the Sasa Police Station, which subsequently filed charges of illegal entry against the suspects.
The suspects were on board KM Pejuang Devisa 2 when interdicted by Navy forces southwest of Balut Island in Sarangani, Davao Occidental.
Mauring said P11 million worth of smuggled cigarettes were recovered from the suspects.
“The two Indonesian nationals were reportedly undocumented, having multiple entry (recidivists) records committing smuggling activities,” he said.
Mauring said they will ask the police why only charges of illegal entry were filed against the suspects, especially the two Indonesian nationals, and not smuggling, which has tougher penalties.
Reports said illegal cigarettes recovered from the suspects served as a decoy for the potential entry of P125 million worth of illegal contraband in the country.
Among the cigarette brands seized were Guading Baru, Gajah Baru, Surya Baru, Gudang Garam, and Gadang Baru aside from branded cigarettes such as Marlboro, Philip Morris, and Winston.
Mauring assured the public the Navy is continuously monitoring activities within their areas of jurisdiction to intercept any future illegal activities.
“We can assure that coordinated patrol between the Royal Indonesian Navy and the Philippine Navy are being conducted regularly to ensure no illegal smuggling activities will take place,” he said.
“We have had bilateral engagements with our Indonesian counterpart to resolve similar problems,” he added.
In June, Philippine authorities recovered methamphetamine hydrochloride, which was allegedly made in Indonesia.
The illegal drugs were reportedly concealed in boxes of smuggled cigarettes, which were brought to the country through the waters off Mindanao.