Zamboanga del Sur police chief warns against illegal activities

The new police chief of Zamboanga del Sur has issued a strong warning to officers involved in illegal activities. Colonel Bonifacio Arañas Jr. took office on Thursday and made it clear that any wrongdoing could lead to job loss. His statement comes after two policemen were arrested for smuggling. Police Major Gerald Aranas, who led the Duminalinao town police, was caught on March 1 with a car full of smuggled cigarettes. Patrolman Chenglei Vegare was arrested later on March 16 while selling smuggled items in Rizal town. Arañas explained that police are not exempt from scrutiny, even when off duty. He emphasized that both the Philippine National Police chief and the regional director will not tolerate illegal activities among officers. The arrest of Major Aranas occurred when police stopped a car at a Commission on Elections checkpoint in Misamis Occidental. They found 26 cases of smuggled cigarettes worth around 390,000 pesos inside. Vegare was apprehended as he attempted to sell 200 reams of smuggled cigarettes worth about 229,200 pesos. Both officers are currently being held while administrative cases are processed against them. The police chief reiterated the commitment to uphold the law within the police force.