Bago city: Operations led by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) dismantled a massive illegal cigarette manufacturing and distribution network in Negros Occidental, netting almost PHP800 million in raw materials and other supplies across two cities earlier this week.
According to Philippines News Agency, in a press briefing in Bago City Friday afternoon, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla stated that such illicit trade deprives the government of billions in excise tax revenues, which should otherwise fund public healthcare and essential social services. Remulla emphasized the success in stopping operations in Luzon and announced that the focus would now shift to Visayas.
A detailed report from the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region revealed that on April 21, operatives raided a warehouse facility in Barangay Calumangan, Bago City. They confiscated cigarette manufacturing and packing machines, assorted cigarette products, packaging materials, and raw tobacco valued at PHP262.55 million. During the raid, ten Chinese nationals suspected to be involved in the illegal operation were arrested. Their identities were disclosed as Fugong Jiang, Wu JianQun, Xu Ke, Li Hong, Ye Jun, A Yac, Tan Jing, Wu Shaobin, Eron Chen, and Pan Zongxing.
The operation continued later that day, moving to another warehouse on Vista Street, Barangay Singcang-Airport in the city. The items seized included tobacco raw materials, a large volume of cigarette pack labels, menthol liquid, and additional packaging supplies worth PHP536.59 million. Initial investigations suggested that the illegal manufacturing operation began in the third quarter of 2025 and was operated and supervised by foreign nationals. Finished cigarette products were reportedly being distributed across Southern Luzon, Central Visayas, Western Visayas, and the National Capital Region, highlighting an extensive and organized illicit trade network.
Representatives from the National Tobacco Administration were present to oversee the inventory, marking, and documentation of all seized items. In Bago City, Filipino workers were allegedly recruited with the promise of a daily wage of PHP500. However, some workers reportedly did not receive their wages as agreed and were restricted from leaving the premises, leading authorities to explore potential elements of forced labor and human trafficking.
Criminal complaints are being prepared against those behind the illegal operations, citing violations of Presidential Decree 1481 (Regulation of Trading Virginia Leaf Tobacco), Republic Act (RA) 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003) as amended, and RA 12022 (Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act). DILG data indicates that between December 2025 and April 2026, authorities have seized nearly PHP4 billion worth of illegal cigarettes nationwide, with significant operations conducted in the Negros Island Region, Bulacan, Pampanga, Metro Manila, and Cebu.
