Commissioner Lumagui orders nationwide destruction of ₱2.1B worth of illicit cigarettes
THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), led by Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr., is set to carry out the 2025 nationwide destruction activities across 12 designated sites from February 24 to 28, 2025, with Porac, Pampanga serving as the primary destruction hub.
This large-scale operation is a joint effort spearheaded by the Office of the Commissioner through the Large Taxpayers Service and the Operations Group’s 19 Revenue Regions.
According to Commissioner Lumagui, the destruction of the illicit goods demonstrates the BIR’s commitment to eradicating illicit trade and protecting legitimate businesses.
“This initiative is a testament to our commitment to uphold the law and deter illicit activities. This is the rational next step from the nationwide raids we conducted since 2022 and the filing of the criminal cases against these unscrupulous individuals and corporations,” said Commissioner Lumagui.
The BIR will be destroying 14.3 million packs of illicit cigarettes valued at around ₱2.1 billion with an estimated tax liability of ₱6.4 billion.
On top of preventing tax losses, the destruction of these illicit products addresses serious public health risks, as cigarettes from unknown sources pose exponentially higher hazards to both consumers and third-party smokers due to the absence of quality control and regulation. By ensuring that these products do not re-enter the market, the BIR is fulfilling a three-fold mandate: strengthening revenue collection, protecting the business environment and consumers, and safeguarding public health and safety.
Aside from confiscation and destruction, the BIR has filed multiple criminal cases against individuals and corporations involved in illegal trade, further strengthening its drive to hold tax evaders accountable. These enforcement actions send a clear message—the BIR will not hesitate to take decisive action against those who violate tax laws.
Legislators from the Senate and House of Representatives, public health advocates, and stakeholders from the tobacco industry have been invited to the activity, which will be live-streamed to the public via the BIR’s official social media platforms—allowing Filipinos to witness firsthand the Bureau’s efforts to combat illicit trade.
Under Commissioner Lumagui, the BIR continues to modernize its enforcement strategies, leveraging data-driven intelligence and aggressive operations to combat illicit activities. This initiative reflects the agency’s commitment to fair and efficient tax collection, ensuring that government revenues are properly allocated to public services and national development.
“The destruction of illicit goods is a crucial step in maintaining the integrity of our revenue collection, protecting the health of our citizens, and safeguarding the interests of legitimate businesses who properly file and pay the correct taxes due to the government,” Commissioner Lumagui stated.
