Police in Central Visayas have demonstrated a firm stance against corruption following the arrest of a businessman and his companion who attempted to bribe officers after a major smuggling interception in Santander, Cebu.
Smuggled Cigarettes Intercepted, Bribe Offer Follows
The sequence of events began on the night of Saturday, January 10, 2026, when operatives manning a checkpoint in Santander intercepted a Foton Tornado closed van. Inside the vehicle, authorities discovered 200 boxes of Oris brand cigarettes. A subsequent verification by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) confirmed the grim reality: the cigarettes were unregistered and being sold illegally in the Philippines. The driver and helper of the van are now also facing charges.
The Entrapment: A Fortuner, Cash, and Phones as Bait
Instead of accepting the legal consequences, the individuals linked to the seized contrabanda devised a risky plan. The following day, Sunday, January 11, 2026, a 41-year-old businessman and his 21-year-old associate allegedly approached the police officers. Their offer was brazen: they would give P1,000,000.00 in cash, three expensive cellular phones, and a Toyota Fortuner in exchange for the release of the smuggled goods, valued at approximately P20 million.
Unbeknownst to them, the police were already prepared. The Regional Special Project Unit (RSPU) 7 swiftly organized an entrapment operation that same Sunday afternoon. The moment the bribe was handed over, the two suspects were immediately placed under arrest and are now detained at the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 custodial facility.
PRO7 Leadership Praises Integrity, Charges Pile Up
Police Brigadier General Redrico Maranan, the chief of PRO 7, publicly commended his personnel for their unwavering integrity and refusal to be swayed by the substantial bribe. "The successful interception of this illicit cigarette shipment and the arrest of individuals attempting to bribe our personnel demonstrate PRO7’s unwavering commitment to uphold the rule of law, protect public resources, and maintain integrity within our ranks," Maranan stated.
The legal troubles for the two suspects are severe. Prosecutors are preparing to file charges for violations of Article 212 of the Revised Penal Code (Corruption of Public Officials), Republic Act 3019 (the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), and Presidential Decree 46, which prohibits the giving of gifts to public officials. This case serves as a stark warning that attempts to corrupt law enforcement in Central Visayas will meet with decisive legal action.
