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Customs issues urgent directive after major cigarette seizures in Manila, Cebu
Business
Trade & Industry
Customs issues urgent directive after major cigarette seizures in Manila, Cebu
Customs issues urgent directive after major cigarette seizures in Manila, Cebu
By Derco Rosal
Published Jul 21, 2026 06:09 pm
At A Glance
- Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno has ordered to maintain round-the-clock surveillance in a bid to prevent illicit activities concerning seized cigarettes particularly at Manila and Cebu ports.
Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno has ordered 24/7 surveillance and an immediate complete inventory of seized illicit cigarettes at the Manila International Container Port and the Port of Cebu to prevent tampering, theft, and unauthorized movement, as well as strengthen legal proceedings against smugglers. (BOC photo)
Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno has ordered to maintain round-the-clock surveillance in a bid to prevent illicit activities concerning seized cigarettes particularly at Manila and Cebu ports.
Formalized in a memorandum dated July 20, the directive outlines an urgent strategy for “strengthened” security measures and immediate inventory of seized cigarettes.
This move seeks to “ensure the security, integrity, and accountability of the recently seized cigarettes at the Port of Cebu and the Manila International Container Port (MICP).”
Under the new protocols, port officials and security personnel must secure seized goods around the clock and prevent unauthorized access, movement, tampering, theft, or loss.
To bolster the legal case against smugglers, the Nepomuceno has also mandated that “all responsible officers shall immediately conduct a complete inventory of the seized cigarettes in accordance with existing laws, rules, regulations, and established procedures.”
This inventory will ensure seized items are properly documented to preserve the chain of custody for administrative and legal proceedings.
Per the Bureau, a status report on the implementation of these directives must be turned in to the office of the commissioner (OCOM) within five days from receipt of the memorandum.
Separately, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has confiscated 17 master cases of illicit cigarettes in Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental, in a joint operation with the Philippine National Police (PNP).
According to the country's main tax collection agency, the operation seized products carrying an estimated ₱6.6 million in tax liabilities.
In a July 21 statement, the BIR said that, after the interception, the cigarettes were turned over to the agency for inspection and tax assessment.
Revenue officers from Revenue District Office (RDO) No. 114–Davao Oriental conducted an inventory and verification of the seized products following a mission order issued by Revenue Region 19–Davao Region.
The BIR said the latest operation forms part of its intensified campaign against the illegal trade, distribution, and transport of untaxed tobacco products.
The BIR said the seized cigarettes were found to be in violation of provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC), including registration requirements for cigarette brands, excise tax rules, and regulations requiring internal revenue stamps on imported and locally manufactured cigarettes.
Based on the assessment, the estimated excise tax liability from the seized products reached ₱6.6 million.
Authorities are conducting the necessary legal and administrative procedures to file appropriate charges against those responsible for possessing and transporting the illicit cigarettes.