The Malabon City government clarified on Tuesday, Jan. 6, that the container yard involved in a recent police operation is run by a registered business with a valid permit to operate under local regulations.

In a statement, the city government stressed that the permit it issued only covers the operation of the facility as a container yard and does not extend to the contents of the cargo containers stored inside the premises.

“Mahalagang ipaliwanag na ang rehistrasyon ng lokal na pamahalaan ay nagbibigay lamang ng pahintulot sa operasyon ng pasilidad bilang container yard (It is important to clarify that registration with the local government only grants permission for the facility to operate as a container yard),” it said.

“Ang nilalaman ng mga cargo container kabilang ang importasyon, rehistrasyon, dokumentasyon, at legalidad ng mga produkto ay saklaw ng mga ahensya ng pambansang pamahalaan at ng mga pribadong operator, at hindi sakop ng kapangyarihan ng Pamahalaang Lungsod (The contents of the cargo containers, including importation, registration, documentation, and the legality of the goods, fall under the jurisdiction of national government agencies and private operators, and are not within the authority of the city government),” the city government added.

It added that matters related to importation, registration, documentation, and the legality of goods fall under the jurisdiction of national government agencies and private operators, and are beyond the authority of the local government.

According to the city’s Public Information Office, the after-operation report of the Philippine National Police – Highway Patrol Group (RHPU-NCR) indicated that suspected unregistered imported cigarettes were discovered during a police operation conducted on Dec. 31.

The containers were found inside a privately operated container yard and were not connected to any activity, operation, or project of the city government.

Following the incident, the city’s Business Permits and Licensing Office conducted an inspection of the facility and issued a Notice of Violation against the operator.

The local government said the move was part of the regular enforcement of business permit and licensing rules, particularly in cases where the privilege to operate a business may be abused or when business premises are allegedly used in a manner that violates the law or affects public order and safety.

“Ang hakbang na ito ay alinsunod sa umiiral na mga probisyon na nagpapahintulot sa lokal na pamahalaan na kumilos kapag ang pribilehiyong magnegosyo ay inaabuso at nagreresulta sa paglabag sa kaayusan o kapayapaan ng publiko, o kapag ang lugar ng negosyo ay nagagamit sa paraang labag sa batas This action is in line with existing provisions that allow the local government to act when the privilege to operate a business is abused and results in violations of public order or peace, or when business premises are used in an unlawful manner),” it said.

The local government emphasized that it has no authority over the contents of cargo containers, including their storage, handling, inspection, or approval.

It added that the seizure of goods, the investigation, and any possible filing of charges are being led by the Philippine National Police–Highway Patrol Group in coordination with the appropriate national government agencies.

As police submit the necessary information to the prosecutor’s office, the city government said it will continue to monitor developments and coordinate with concerned agencies within the limits of its authority.

The Malabon City government reiterated its commitment to transparency, accountability, and cooperation with authorities, assuring the public that responsibility will be determined through the proper legal process.

“Nanatiling matatag ang Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Malabon sa transparency, tamang pananagutan, at pakikipagtulungan sa mga awtoridad, at tinitiyak sa publiko na ang pananagutan ay matutukoy sa pamamagitan ng wastong prosesong legal (The Malabon City government remains steadfast in its commitment to transparency, proper accountability, and cooperation with authorities, and assures the public that responsibility will be determined through the proper legal process),” the local government said.

The police operation was conducted on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, in Barangay Maysilo, Malabon City, where authorities seized an estimated P1.5 billion worth of tobacco products and arrested three individuals.

READ: