Philip Morris Philippines Manufacturing, Inc. (PMPM) and Japan Tobacco International (JTI) lauded the Bureau of Customs (BOC) after the agency seized ₱83.7 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in Bulacan.

Last April 24, the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Manila International Container Port (BOC-CIIS-MICP) confiscated the illicit goods following an operation in Barangay Batia, Bocaue, Bulacan.

The CIIS-MICP team discovered and seized 717 mastercases of various branded cigarettes, including Modern, TS, Two Moon, Tattoo, Fort, H&P, Xplore, Carnival, Concord, RGD, Marvels, Chesterfields, and New Orleans, inside a warehouse. Six trucks loaded with cigarettes were also found on the property.

Joseph Dizon, PMPM Intelligence and Investigation Security Officer, said, “Congratulations BOC-CIIS MICP Field Station! Excellent work, BOC-CIIS Field Station at the Port of MICP! Your successful operations yesterday at Batia, Bocaue, Bulacan are a testament to your dedication and effectiveness. Keep up the outstanding work in safeguarding our country's interests.”

Raoul Fernandez, counsel for JTI, particularly noted the role of Customs Commissioner Bien Rubio in the operation.

“We extend our congratulations to the BOC-CIIS, Port of MICP, its members and officials, under the leadership of Comm. Bienvenido Y. Rubio, on their recent successful seizure of several illicit and counterfeit cigarettes, in Brgy. Batia, Bocaue, Bulacan,” he said.

Alvin Enciso, CIIS-MICP Field Station chief, emphasized the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors to combat smuggling.

“We are grateful for the recognition and the support by our partners in the industry, but we would also like to assure that there will be more to come. We will not stop until we go after every smuggling organization out there by all means possible,” he said.

The owners or representatives of the warehouse have been given 15 days to provide the necessary documentation for the importation of the seized cigarettes. Failure to do so will result in charges for violating Republic Act 10963, also known as the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

The BOC will also file cases against the owners for the smuggled tobacco products under the newly enacted Republic Act (RA) No. 12022 or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, which classifies agricultural smuggling as economic sabotage.