Pampanga: More than PHP70 million worth of smuggled tobacco products were seized during a police operation in a warehouse in San Simon, Pampanga, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Tuesday. The warehouse, located in Barangay San Pablo Libutad, was reported by a netizen shortly after Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla and other officials presented three warehouses and manufacturing sites in Pampanga to the public on Monday.
According to Philippines News Agency, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melecencio Nartatez Jr. stated in a news release on Tuesday that upon receiving the tip from the netizen, a team from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) promptly arrived at the location and verified the presence of illicit cigarette brands inside the compound. The operation led to the confiscation of numerous cigarette brands and assorted raw materials used for manufacturing and repacking.
Verification with barangay officials revealed that the warehouse lacked a business permit. Nartatez emphasized the operation as a testament to the collective effort in enforcing the law and maintaining peace. He highlighted the operation as a result of the renewed public trust in the Philippine National Police.
Nartatez mentioned ongoing coordination with government agencies to identify the owner or lessee of the warehouse. He further stated that the PNP is intensifying efforts to dismantle illegal cigarette networks to prevent illicit profits from funding organized crime and other unlawful activities.
The investigation aims to uncover the movement of funds and identify those involved in the operations. Nartatez assured that no amount of money or influence will protect those responsible and urged the public to report suspicious activities.
In a related development, Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Alyssa Michaela "Mica" Gonzales filed a resolution for a congressional inquiry into the recent discovery of illegal cigarette factories in Pampanga. House Resolution No. 788 aims to investigate and identify the financiers and masterminds behind the organized crime, addressing acts leading to economic sabotage and tax evasion.
Gonzales expressed the need to review relevant legislative provisions to strengthen measures against such illegal activities. The House will examine the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act and the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act as part of the investigation.
