By: Jason de Asis
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor C. Remulla Jr. personally inspected warehouse sites in Pampanga on February 16, 2026, following a series of intelligence-driven operations targeting suspected illegal cigarette manufacturing activities.
The inspection covered facilities in San Simon and Mexico towns that were previously subjected to joint enforcement actions by the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Customs, and other partner government agencies as part of the government’s intensified campaign against illicit trade and economic crimes.
On February 13 at around 11:45 p.m., authorities implemented a Bureau of Customs Letter of Authority at a warehouse in Barangay Dela Paz, San Simon, Pampanga, registered under Dongjin Longevity Industry Corp., whose license for battery manufacturing had expired on December 31, 2023.
DILG Secretary Juanito Victor C. Remulla Jr. inspects Pampanga warehouses linked to alleged illegal cigarette manufacturing, as joint operations of the Philippine National Police and Bureau of Customs result in the seizure of Php275 million worth of equipment and tobacco materials—strengthening the government’s crackdown on illicit trade and economic crimes. (Jason de Asis)
During the operation, law enforcers discovered nine tobacco processing machines and substantial volumes of raw and ground tobacco materials valued at approximately Php115 million. Based on the equipment recovered, the site was identified as a processing facility supplying raw materials for illegal cigarette manufacturing. The warehouse was sealed by the Bureau of Customs pending inventory and further investigation.
A separate operation was conducted on February 14 at about 3:15 p.m. 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.
Authorities recovered 74 shipping containers, 12 cigarette-making machines, a 50-ton truck crane, cigarette filters, and other manufacturing components with an estimated value of Php160 million.
Combined operations carried out on February 11, 13, and 14 resulted in the seizure of cigarette-making equipment, components, and tobacco materials worth an estimated Php275 million, excluding previously confiscated finished cigarette products. Both facilities were found abandoned during the enforcement actions, and no arrests were made. The sites remain secured as case build-up and further investigation continue.
Secretary Remulla said the government has intensified its crackdown on illegal tobacco operations through a whole-of-nation approach. He noted 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 agencies was organized to curb the growing impact of illegal tobacco trade.
He stressed that illicit cigarette operations deprive the government of billions of pesos in revenue intended for essential public services, particularly healthcare programs, underscoring that revenue losses directly affect services meant for the Filipino people.
PRO3 Director Police Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio I. Peñones Jr. said the operations underscore the importance of sustained intelligence work and inter-agency coordination in combating economic crimes.
He added that the inspection and enforcement efforts align with the PNP’s Focused Agenda, emphasizing strengthened law enforcement, enhanced collaboration among agencies, and professionalism in service. Anchored on the “3Ps” strategy — Protect the People, Pursue Peace and Order, and Promote Professionalism — PRO3 remains committed to supporting government initiatives that safeguard legitimate businesses and protect public interest.
The Philippine National Police reiterated its commitment to uphold the rule of law and intensify operations against illicit trade as authorities continue efforts to identify those responsible for the illegal manufacturing activities.