As part of its relentless campaign against smuggling and other forms of illegal trade that threaten consumer safety, the Philippine National Police (PNP), under the leadership of Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., Acting PNP Chief, continues to intensify law enforcement operations nationwide to hold offenders accountable and safeguard public welfare.
In San Simon, Pampanga, a successful operation was conducted after police operatives uncovered a large stockpile of smuggled plywood concealed inside a commercial compound on December 8, 2025. The operation was carried out through the combined efforts of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Regional Field Unit 3 (CIDG-RFU 3), Pampanga Provincial Field Unit (PFU), and the San Simon Municipal Police Station (MPS).
By virtue of Search Warrant No. 25-0424 (M), authorities served the warrant at a business premises located in Global Aseana Park 1, Barangay Dela Paz, San Simon, Pampanga, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The operation resulted in the arrest of a Chinese national and the seizure of a significant volume of illegal goods.
Confiscated from the site were 2,752 pieces of 18mm Crocodile Phenolic Plywood and 4,272 pieces of 12mm Crocodile Phenolic Plywood, all measuring 4 feet by 8 feet, with an estimated total value of Php6,231,200. Various business documents were also recovered. During the search, operatives discovered an improvised shotgun locally known as a sumpak, along with four 12-gauge slugs, inside one of the offices. The arrested foreign national is currently under the custody of CIDG-RFU 3 for documentation and proper disposition.
Aligned with the Focused Agenda, the operation highlights the PNP’s strengthened emphasis on enhanced police operations, particularly in curbing illegal businesses that pose risks to consumers and distort fair trade.
PLtGen Nartatez stressed the importance of swift and decisive law enforcement in maintaining community safety. “This operation proves our commitment to protect the public from unlawful activities that compromise safety and fairness in trade. We will not allow our citizens to be abused by illegal activities,” he said.
Days earlier, another successful anti-smuggling operation was conducted in Barangay Sta. Rita, Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro, where police operatives seized cooking oil allegedly traded without proper authorization. The operation, carried out on December 4, was a joint effort of the CIDG Oriental Mindoro PFU, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Regional Office IV-B, and the Pinamalayan MPS.
A male suspect identified only as alias “Mike,” an employee of a private corporation, was arrested for the alleged sale and distribution of unregistered cooking oil, in violation of the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009. Seized from the area were 43 packages containing a total of 2,615 bottles of cooking oil, with an estimated value of Php1,842,478.07.
The Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009 strictly prohibits the manufacture, importation, sale, or distribution of any food or health product without proper FDA authorization, as unregulated products may pose serious risks to public health.
Commending the units involved, PLtGen Nartatez emphasized the PNP’s broader mandate to protect consumers, stating: “The PNP does not only focus on crime prevention but also on illegal activities that endanger public health. This operation is a clear example of our commitment to protect Filipino consumers.”
PNP once again calls on the public to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activities related to smuggling, counterfeiting, or the illegal sale of consumer products, as community cooperation remains vital in the fight against illicit trade.
