A police official and his two companions were arrested with alleged smuggled cigarettes in Misamis Occidental.

Personnel of the Misamis Occidental PNP Maritime Unit and Misamis Occidental Provincial Police Office flagged down the suspects’ vehicle at a Commission on Elections (COMELEC) checkpoint, but the vehicle sped up.

Police chased the suspects and intercepted the vehicle in Oroquieta City.

Three suspects were arrested, including a police major assigned at a municipal police station in Zamboanga del Sur.

“Ang initial violation po nila is disobedience in violation of Article 151 disobedience to person in authority kasi SOP po yun, meron tayong checkpoint, alam naman natin na legit ito,” Regional Maritime Unit-10 Chief, Col. Charlie Vete, said.

During inspection, authorities found around 26 boxes of alleged smuggled cigarettes.

The three suspects were taken into police custody and have yet to issue a statement, as of this writing.

“Separate charges for violation of RA 8424 ito po yung violation sa BIR natin sa mga taxes at likewise we also filed RA 10863 ito po yung sa Customs Modernization and Tariff Act,” Vete added.

The police official may also face administrative charges.

The items seized were turned over to the Bureau of Customs.