PNP-CIDG goes all-out vs fake cigar smugglers, manufacturers
ACTING on orders of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil, the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has launched an intensified crackdown against smugglers, manufacturers and distributors of fake cigarettes in the country.
Since last April 1, police have accounted for billions of pesos worth of fake tobacco products amid its commitment to eradicate the illicit cigarette trade that not only undermines government revenues but also poses serious health risks to the public.
“Our intensified efforts will include heightened surveillance, stricter border controls, and coordinated operations with other law enforcement agencies,” Gen. Marbil said as he cited an annual P25 billion government loss and the major risk smuggled tobacco products pose to public health.
Early this month, agents of the PNP-CIDG seized more than P2.4 billion worth of fake cigarettes and equipment being used in the production of the contraband and rescued 155 Filipino trafficking victims.
Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre, the CIDG chief, said that representatives from the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the local police supported their operation which focused on Bulacan which has been tagged as an alleged main hub for the production of counterfeit cigarettes.
The official said that members of the PNP-CIDG Anti-Fraud and Commercial Crime Unit stormed the fake cigarette production facilities on the strength of BIR Mission Order.
The raids led to the recovery of various brands of counterfeit cigarettes and an array of cigarette manufacturing equipment worth more than P2.4 billion.
The PNP-CIDG director said they found out that the illicit plants have the capacity to produce an estimated 12.9 million cigarettes daily, valued at approximately P45 million per day.
The three separate raids in Valenzuela City led to the recovery of an estimated P1.158 billion worth of fake cigar products and manufacturing equipment.
The official said that a number of suspects including five Chinese nationals with the aliases Yanliang, Rock, Zizhan, Zili and Zigiang were arrested in the Valenzuela raids while one Wu was apprehended in the Bulacan operation.
All accused are now facing charges related to tax evasion, Republic Act 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code and RA 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 200.
The PNP-CIDG has also raided two big warehouses in Metro Manila where they confiscated nearly P200 million worth of the contraband.
The raids were conducted as Gen. Marbil ordered a stepped-up drive against cigarette smuggling and illicit manufacture in coordination with the BIR.
However, the availability of counterfeit and smuggled cigarette products really undermines the government’s efforts to control tobacco consumption through taxation and regulation and in particular erodes the effectiveness of anti-smoking campaigns and initiatives aimed at reducing smoking rates.
Officials said that the illicit trading of cigarettes has become rampant in the country causing the government to lose billions in revenues that could have been allocated for its priority programs, particularly the provision of health facilities and services.
compliance with legal procedure.
Charges for violations of the National Internal Revenue Code particularly related to Tax Evasion are being prepared against the suspects.
Over P1 billion worth of smuggled cigarettes being sold in Western Mindanao have been confiscated by PNP agents this year amid the intensified campaign ordered by Gen. Marbil.
According to Area Police Command-Western Mindanao commander, Major Gen. Bernard M. Banac, a total of 56 operations against cigarette smuggling syndicates in Western Mindanao have been conducted by the police from January to date.
It led to the arrest of 61 men and the confiscation of over P1 billion worth of smuggled cigarettes being distributed and sold in different parts of the region.
The official said that the smuggled tobacco products worth a total of P1.025 billion were seized by agents of the Police Regional Offices 9,12 and Bangsamoro Administrative Region in different parts of Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Sur, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces.
Maj. Gen. Banac said the bulk of the smuggled cigarettes were confiscated by the PRO9 headed by Brig. Gen. Bowenn Joey M. Masauding.
Overall, the three regional police offices recovered a total of 137,738 reams of smuggled cigarettes.
Brig. Gen. Masauding said that all recovered smuggled cigarettes were found without BIR tax stamp and graphic health warning signs.
