OPERATIVES of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested three individuals in Davao del Sur yesterday for violation of the law on tobacco products.
CIDG Director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre II named the suspects only as Christian, Ibrahim and Rodel, who were nabbed at 12:01 a.m. in Barangay Baybay, Malalag, Davao del Sur.
“They were caught in the act of selling and unloading from the motorized boat and transferring to the waiting closed van and wing van truck large volumes of assorted brands of cigarettes without the required graphic health warning signs,” the CIDG said in a statement.
The suspects will be charged for violation of Republic Act 10643 (The Graphic Health Warnings Law) for selling tobacco products without labels and packages that do not contain graphic health warnings.
Seized during the operation were 600 cases of assorted brands of cigarettes, a closed van, a wing van truck and a boat. The CIDG said the total value of the seized evidence is P21 million.
“The Graphic Health Warnings Law is a very important law to protect the health of our consumers. It must be strictly followed,” the CIDG said, referring to the law that was crafted to instil health consciousness through graphic health warnings on tobacco products.
Torre assured the public that the CIDG is “steadfast and relentless in enforcing all laws and will catch all violators, local or foreign nationals, whether they committed crimes on land or in (the) Philippine sea.”
“We urge the public to report to us all violations of law and all forms of criminalities in your localities, and your CIDG will do the rest,” Torre said.
