The leadership of Police Regional Office in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PROBAR) has warned its personnel against using their positions as law enforcers to pursue illicit activities.
This after Malabang municipal police station in Lanao del Sur province arrested a police officer and his companion along with the confiscation of around 50 boxes of smuggled cigarettes during a checkpoint operation in Jose Abad Santos village in the town on Thursday afternoon.
Lt. Col. Jopy Ventura, PROBAR spokesperson, identified the suspects as alias Abdul, a Police Staff Sergeant assigned in Lanao del Sur, and alias Ansary, 42, of Malabang town.
Ventura said the two were on board a white Toyota Hi-Ace with plate number NDG 3631 when they were flagged down at a police checkpoint.
They reportedly came from Barangay Banday, Malabang, and were headed toward Marawi City when their vehicle was flagged down. The suspects attempted to flee but were intercepted by the police.
Recovered from them were 2,500 reams of contraband cigarettes valued at P1,962,500.
The suspects are now in the custody of the Malabang police and will face appropriate charges.