Marines lauded for anti-smuggling drive

ZAMBOANGA MAYOR Beng Climaco commended the Philippine Marines after soldiers intercepted a motorized boat loaded with smuggled cigarettes in Mariki’s coastline and she warned smugglers to stop their nefarious activities or face the long arm of the law.

“We will not tolerate smuggling in Zamboanga and I warned smugglers to stop their illegal activities and we will catch you and throw you all in jail,” she told the Zamboanga Post. “I commend the Marines for a job well done.”

Citing a recent report, Climaco said the soldiers were patrolling the coast line when they intercepted the boat. Upon inspection, the boat yielded boxes of assorted cigarettes.

Just last month, Climaco ordered an intensified anti-smuggling campaign following the selling of contraband, including cigarettes, in Zamboanga City and depriving the government of much need revenues.

“The City Government has to intensify the campaign against smuggling. That is why an intensified campaign against the proliferation of any smuggled products must never be tolerated,” she said.

Climaco previously praised the Philippine Navy for its intensified campaign against smuggling activities following the seizure in November of some 300 cases of cigarettes off Basilan province.

The contraband worth about P9 million came from the town of Parang in Sulu province and was bound for Zamboanga City, according to the Naval Forces Western Mindanao.

“We commend the Naval Forces Western Mindanao for its commitment to the anti-smuggling campaign, as it recently foiled an attempt to bring in to Zamboanga City more or less 300 cases of assorted cigarettes believed to have been smuggled into the country,” Climaco said.

The navy intercepted two motorized boats, MPBs Lacoste and Al-Iya, loaded with the cigarettes, in Basilan Strait. (Zamboanga Post)

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