A man was apprehended in Barangay Sapa, Bataraza, on Monday morning for allegedly violating Republic Act 10643, the Graphic Health Warnings Law.
The suspect, who was not named by the Palawan Police Provincial Office (PalPPO), was arrested at approximately 5:30 a.m. on February 17, during a joint anti-illegal activities operation that was carried out by personnel from the Bataraza Municipal Police Station (MPS) and the 3rd Platoon of the 1st Palawan Provincial Mobile Force Company (PPMFC).
He is a resident of Barangay Bancalaan, Balabac. PalPPO reported that the suspect sold a master case of New Berlin Cigarettes for a price of ₱10,000.
The cigarettes were sold without the mandatory graphic health warnings. As a result of his arrest, law enforcement personnel seized 10 master cases more of Fort Cigarettes, two master cases of New Berlin Cigarettes, and a total of ₱10,000 in cash.
The confiscated items were secured in police possession as evidence, while the suspect was transported to the Bataraza MPS for appropriate paperwork and charge filing.
According to RA 10643, all tobacco product packaging and labeling are required to include graphic health warnings to educate people about the hazards of smoking.
Transgressors of this law are subject to sanctions, including monetary penalties, and also jail time.
