The Malabon City government has ordered the temporary closure of a warehouse facility in Barangay Maysilo, on Friday, Jan. 16, after its operator failed to comply with business permit and regulatory requirements.

The closure order was issued by the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) against the container yard following inspections conducted after a police operation on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1.

During the operation, the Philippine National Police–Highway Patrol Group discovered around P1.5 billion worth of unregistered imported tobacco products inside the facility.

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The discovery was later confirmed by the Bureau of Customs, which secured the area for further investigation.

In response to the police operation, the Malabon local government conducted inspections on Jan. 2 and Jan.5.

The BPLO subsequently issued a Notice of Violation directing the company to submit all required permits, certifications, and authorizations within three working days.

"Tayo po sa Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Malabon ay sinisiguro na ang lahat ng batas at ordinansa ay mahigpit na ipinapatupad. Ginagawa po natin ang nararapat mula sa panig ng lokal na pamahalaan, alinsunod sa legal at wastong mga proseso (Here in the Malabon City Government, we ensure that all laws and ordinances are strictly enforced. We are doing what is proper on the part of the local government, in accordance with legal and correct processes),” she said.

“Hindi po tayo nagkikibit-balikat sa anumang paglabag, at malinaw po na pananagutan ng bawat negosyo ang sumunod sa mga patakaran (We do not turn a blind eye to any violation, and it is clear that every business is responsible for complying with the rules),” Sandoval added.

Earlier, on Jan. 6, the local government clarified that the container yard involved in the police operation is operated by a registered business with a valid local permit at the time of inspection.

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"Nililinaw ng Pamahalaang Lungsod na ang lokal na pamahalaan ay kumikilos alinsunod sa itinakdang legal at due process procedures. Hindi maaaring agad isara ang isang rehistradong negosyo nang walang pormal na inspeksyon, dokumentasyon ng paglabag, at pag-isyu ng kaukulang abiso at kautusan, upang matiyak ang patas at makatarungang pagpapatupad ng batas ((The City Government clarifies that the local government acts in accordance with established legal and due process procedures. A registered business cannot be immediately closed without formal inspection, documentation of violations, and the issuance of the appropriate notices and orders, to ensure fair and just enforcement of the law),” the city government said.

“Ang aksyon ay isinagawa alinsunod sa umiiral na mga ordinansa ng lungsod, katuwang ang barangay at mga kinauukulang awtoridad, bilang bahagi ng tungkulin ng pamahalaang lungsod na tiyakin na ang lahat ng negosyong nag-ooperate sa Malabon ay sumusunod sa batas (The action was carried out in accordance with existing city ordinances, in coordination with the barangay and concerned authorities, as part of the city government’s duty to ensure that all businesses operating in Malabon comply with the law),” it added.

City Administrator Alexander Rosete said the local government will continue coordinating with national agencies to protect public welfare and ensure compliance among businesses operating in the city.

“Patuloy po tayong makikipag-ugnayan sa mga kinauukulang ahensya ng pamahalaan upang mapanatili ang kaayusan, maprotektahan ang ating komunidad, at masiguro na ang kapakanan ng mamamayan ang laging inuuna (We will continue to coordinate with the concerned government agencies to maintain order, protect our community, and ensure that the welfare of the people always comes first),” he said.