CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Juanito Victor C. Remulla Jr. on Monday (February 16), personally inspected warehouse sites in Pampanga linked to suspected illegal cigarette manufacturing operations, reinforcing the government’s intensified campaign against illicit trade and economic crimes.
The inspection followed a series of intelligence-driven operations conducted by joint operating units of the Philippine National Police, the Bureau of Customs, and partner government agencies aimed at dismantling illegal cigarette manufacturing activities and protecting legitimate industries.
On February 13, 2026 at around 11:45 p.m., authorities implemented a Bureau of Customs Letter of Authority at a warehouse located in Barangay Dela Paz, San Simon, Pampanga, registered under Dongjin Longevity Industry Corp., which previously held a license for battery manufacturing that expired on December 31, 2023.
During the operation, authorities discovered 9 tobacco processing machines, along with large quantities of raw and ground tobacco materials with an estimated value of ?115 million. Based on the equipment recovered, the site was identified as a processing facility supplying raw tobacco materials for illegal cigarette manufacturing. The warehouse was subsequently sealed by the Bureau of Customs while inventory and investigation remain ongoing.
Meanwhile, on February 14, 2026 at about 3:15 p.m., another Bureau of Customs Letter of Authority was implemented at a warehouse in Barangay San Jose Malino, Mexico, Pampanga, involving AR International Enterprise Company, which holds a license only for the importation of unmanufactured tobacco and not for cigarette manufacturing activities.
Authorities discovered 74 shipping containers, 12 cigarette-making machines, one 50-ton truck crane, cigarette filters, and various manufacturing components with an estimated value of ?160 million.
In total, intelligence-driven operations conducted on February 11, 13, and 14, 2026 resulted in the seizure of cigarette-making equipment, manufacturing components, and tobacco materials with a combined estimated value of ?275 million, excluding previously confiscated finished cigarette products. Both locations were found abandoned during the operations, and no arrests were made. The facilities remain secured while continuous investigation and case build-up are being conducted by concerned agencies.
Secretary Remulla emphasized that the government has intensified its campaign against illicit cigarette operations through a whole-of-nation approach, noting that in December 2025, a joint task force composed of the Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Department of Agriculture, Philippine National Police, and other partner agencies was organized to address the growing impact of illegal tobacco trade.
He underscored that illicit cigarette operations deprive the government of billions in revenues intended for essential public services, particularly healthcare programs, stressing that funds lost due to illegal manufacturing directly affect services meant for the Filipino people.
PRO3 Director P/Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio I. Peñones Jr emphasized that the operations highlight the importance of sustained intelligence work and inter-agency coordination in addressing economic crimes.
“This inspection and the preceding operations reflect our continuing commitment under the PNP Focused Agenda to strengthen law enforcement efforts, enhance inter-agency collaboration, and promote professionalism in service. Through PRO3’s strategic direction anchored on the 3Ps — Protect the People, Pursue Peace and Order, and Promote Professionalism — we remain firm in supporting government initiatives that safeguard legitimate businesses and protect public interest,” P/Brig. Gen. Peñones Jr said. (UnliNews Online)
