A tobacco manufacturing company has commended the Port of Subic for its P201-million haul of smuggled and counterfeit cigarettes during the month of September.
The JT International (JTI) Philippines, Inc., a member of the Japan Tobacco Group of Companies, which manufactures and distributes tobacco brands and operates in more than 120 countries, has awarded a Special Commendation to the Port of Subic.
The manufacturing company awarded the port for its “dedication and exceptional work in the fight against illicit trade operation and smuggling of counterfeit and illicit tobacco products in the Philippines.”
According to Port of Subic District Collector Maritess Martin, they were able to seize and forfeit five different shipments of various counterfeit cigarettes amounting to about P201 million in market value in September 2020.
“The port eventually gained a total of P305,538,075.50 cumulative market value from all the seized and forfeited various shipments from January to November 2020,” Martin said.
The commendation was given on December 4 at the Clark Marriott Hotel Philippines.
The district collector said she and the members of her team are honored to accept and very grateful for such commendation and commit to intensify further their border protection and security capabilities to prevent the entry of counterfeit and illegal commodities.
Martin also attributed the recognition to the deputy collectors for Assessment, Operations and Administration, as well as to the port’s Law Division, Enforcement and Security Service, and Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service.