DAVAO CITY (July 3)— In a pre-dawn checkpoint operation on July 2, 2025, law enforcement personnel seized ₱552,000 worth of smuggled cigarettes and arrested three suspects, including an active member of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The operation took place around 3:30 a.m. to 6:40 a.m. at Purok 1, Barangay Butadon, as part of a routine random checkpoint by the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), under the direct supervision of PLtCol Shirwen M. Lapiz and led by PMaj Neil Clifton F. Pugoy.
Police identfied the arrested invididuals as PSSg Ernesto Alameda Ladroma Jr., 44, married, active PNP member and resident of Barangay Rosario, Tandag City, Surigao del Sur, Luis Philip Maturan Castro, 24, driver, resident of Barangay Patong, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur and, Mikel Learns Doctor Cardento, 22, single, resident of Barangay Patong, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur.
The suspects were on board a white Nissan Navara (plate number LAK 4243) when they were flagged down. Upon inspection, officers noticed what appeared to be smuggled cigarettes in a garbage bag in plain view in the vehicle’s backseat.
Barangay Councilors Hon. Nelson R. Languita and Hon. Orlando B. Pitogo were called to witness the seizure and inventory of the confiscated items. The driver admitted that the cigarettes were sourced from Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, and were intended for delivery to Surigao del Sur.
Confiscated Items:
- 7 Master Cases of Champion Menthol White (50 reams/case) – marked GGM-01 to GGM-07
- 6 Master Cases of Casablanca Red (50 reams/case) – marked GGM-08 to GGM-13
- 40 Loose Reams of Casablanca Red – marked GGM-14
- All items were estimated to have a market value of ₱552,000.
