Manila, July 13 -- Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. directed the immediate filing of administrative and criminal cases against a police officer who was arrested over the weekend for allegedly transporting PHP1.285 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.

Nartatez instructed concerned units to place the police officer, who is assigned at Camp Crame in Quezon City, under restrictive custody and to immediately initiate administrative proceedings.

He ordered investigators to ensure the filing of appropriate criminal and administrative cases without delay once the investigation and the assessment of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) are completed.

"The arrest demons...