Camille Naredo

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) visit  the manufacturing warehouses of unregistered cigarettes at Chamian Commercial Warehouse, Lot 2-C, Phase 4, Baliti Road, Barangay Panipuan, City of San Fernando, Pampanga, on Monday, February 16, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

ILLEGAL CIGARETTE PRODUCTION

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177166719205120260216-cigarette-warehouse-pampanga-MT3.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) visit the manufacturing warehouses of unregistered cigarettes at Chamian Commercial Warehouse, Lot 2-C, Phase 4, Baliti Road, Barangay Panipuan, City of San Fernando, Pampanga, on Monday, February 16, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News" width="960"/>The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) visit  the manufacturing warehouses of unregistered cigarettes at Chamian Commercial Warehouse, Lot 2-C, Phase 4, Baliti Road, Barangay Panipuan, City of San Fernando, Pampanga, on Monday, February 16, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA – The Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) said its recent nationwide campaign against illegal cigarettes has protected P460.9 million worth of government revenues so far, as the agency vowed to continue its efforts in stopping illicit tobacco supply chains.In a statement, the BIR cited their operations on Feb. 11 and 16 through its Central Luzon office and in coordination with the Philippine National Police–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG).<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/18/pnp-seizes-over-p1-b-worth-of-smuggled-cigarettes-in-first-six-weeks-of-2026-2124">PNP seizes over P1-B worth of smuggled cigarettes in first six weeks of 2026 </a> </div>Authorities on Feb. 11 raided a warehouse in Barangay Panipuan in San Fernando, Pampanga, where they seized cigarette manufacturing equipment and raw materials valued at P147.6 million. Authorities also recovered some 700,000 counterfeit excise tax stamps amounting to an estimated P48.62 million.Further verification showed these stamps were intended for illegal cigarette production and distribution, supposedly to evade excise tax obligations.On Feb. 16, the BIR and the police mounted operations in an industrial park in San Simon, Pampanga, where they confiscated 1,013 master cases of illicit cigarettes or around 506,500 packs. The park’s tax liabilities were estimated to be at P412.36 million, inclusive of excise tax, value-added tax, surcharges, interest, and other penalties and fees.BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin Mendoza said aside from protecting public revenues, the operations also prevented the spread of untaxed excisable goods. “We will relentlessly pursue those who seek to undermine lawful revenue collection. Our enforcement actions safeguard government resources and ensure that funds intended for essential public services are protected from illicit trade,” said Mendoza in the release.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/2/17/p70-million-illicit-cigarettes-seized-in-pampanga-warehouse-after-netizen-tip-1047">P70-million illicit cigarettes seized in Pampanga warehouse after netizen tip</a></div>These operations, the official said, also help protect legitimate manufacturers and compliant taxpayers by addressing unfair competition from illegal traders.The agency added that follow-up investigations are ongoing to identify warehouse owners and other responsible parties linked to the seized goods.Criminal and tax charges are also being prepared under the National Internal Revenue Code and other applicable laws, according to the agency.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) said its recent nationwide campaign against illegal cigarettes has protected P460.9 million worth of government revenues so far, as the agency vowed to continue its efforts in stopping illicit tobacco supply chains.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) said its recent nationwide campaign against illegal cigarettes has protected P460.9 million worth of government revenues so far, as the agency vowed to continue its efforts in stopping illicit tobacco supply chains.

BIR: Recent anti-illicit tobacco ops boost anti-tax evasion drive; protect P460-M gov’t revenue

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BIR: Recent anti-illicit tobacco ops boost anti-tax evasion drive; protect P460-M gov’t revenue

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 21, 2026 06:00 PM PHT

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Bureau of Internal Revenue

BIR

anti-tax evasion

revenue

anti-illicit tobacco operations

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