Manila: The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Region No. 6 - City of Manila and Palawan destroyed 240,550 illicit vape products at the DIGAMA Waste Management Facility in Porac, Pampanga on Aug. 24.

According to Philippines News Agency, in a statement on Tuesday, the bureau estimated the total tax liability of the destroyed products at PHP1.53 billion. The BIR emphasized that the destruction was part of its efforts to prevent illicit vape products from circulating in the market.

Commissioner Charlito Martin Mendoza stated, "Enforcement does not end with seizure. We must permanently remove illicit vape products from the market and hold accountable those behind their illegal manufacture, importation, distribution, and sale."

Revenue Region No. 6 Regional Director Remir Macatangay noted that BIR-Manila has broadened its enforcement operations beyond individual retail establishments to include warehouses. "We started with retail stores and expanded to warehouses. This led to our operation against Tap Fog Philippines, the largest single illicit vape enforcement operation conducted by the BIR to date. Some of the products seized in that operation were among those destroyed today (Aug. 24)," Macatangay said.