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6 Chinese nabbed, 65 Filipinos rescued in 'illegal' cigarette factory in Pampanga

Article (news)

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177027033665120260205.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Authorities arrested six Chinese nationals and rescued 65 Filipinos during a raid on a suspected illegal cigarette factory inside a warehouse in Barangay Panipuan, Mexico, Pampanga. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA<strong> (UPDATE) </strong>— Authorities arrested six Chinese nationals and rescued 65 Filipinos during a raid on a suspected illegal cigarette factory inside a warehouse in Barangay Panipuan, Mexico, Pampanga.</p><p>According to the initial police investigation, the warehouse was operating without valid permits. </p><p>Large volumes of cigarettes, cigarette-making machines, various production equipment, and scattered tax stamps were recovered from the site.</p><p>Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, along with officials from PNP, Bureau of Customs (BOC), and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), inspected the warehouse on Thursday.</p><p>“Hindi siya smuggled cigarettes dahil dito na ginagawa. Kailangan malaman ng lahat na from manufacturing to transportation to distribution to retail—lahat ‘yan ay liable sa Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Act,” Remulla said. </p><p>“Lahat ‘yan ay non-bailable, kaya nakikiusap sa lahat ng maliliit na tindahan, kung kayo ay mahulihan ng illegal na sigarilyo, pati kayo ay makakasuhan ng non-bailable offense,” he stressed.</p><p>Remulla decried the inhumane living conditions in the workers’ stay-in barracks.</p><p>“Ang offer sa kanila is sweldo na P15,000 a month, dapat 15/30 ang bayad pero hindi sila sinuwelduhan nung huling pagtrabaho dito kaya we consider that involuntary servitude ang ginagawa nila,” he said.</p><div><br/></div><div>&#x27;<strong>SIMILAR</strong>&#x27;<br/><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1770264394393Screen Shot 2026-02-05 at 11.59.01 AM_cropped_processed_by_imagy.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"> 📷༘  Karen de Guzman, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>Police said the cigarette brands found in the warehouse were similar to those seized by the Philippine National Police–Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) from 14 trailer trucks intercepted in Balete, Batangas on December 31 last year, with an estimated value of <a href="http://From carnap to contraband: Over P1-B of suspected smuggled cigarettes seized in Batangas City">P1.1 billion.</a></p><p>The items also resembled those confiscated in a separate operation last January 1, 2026 operation in Malabon, where authorities recovered illegal cigarettes worth about P1.5 billion.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/2/pnp-probes-possible-link-in-p2-6-b-smuggled-cigarette-seizures-in-batangas-malabon-1053">PNP probes possible link in P2.6-B smuggled cigarette seizures in Batangas, Malabon</a></div><p>“Titingnan namin kung binigyan na ng business permit ito, kung na-inspect or hindi. Kung nabisita na ng BFP, nabisita na ng local authorities. Kung ininspect nila at binigyan ng business permit ay liable sila,” Remulla said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/27/pnp-notes-backdoor-channels-rogue-law-enforcers-in-cigarette-smuggling-1449">PNP notes backdoor channels, rogue law enforcers in cigarette smuggling</a></div><p>Authorities estimated the seized products to be worth P400 million, but Remulla noted the factory has the capacity to manufacture at least P150 million worth of cigarettes per day.</p><p>“Nakita na rin namin ‘yung mga tindahan so it will come soon ‘yung apprehension ng mga products na ‘yan. Mas mura [ang alok], kalahati lang ang presyong pagbenta nila pero ang mark-up ng sari-sari store mas mataas. Dumadaan lang ‘yan naka-wing van, bubuksan ipapakita ‘yung produkto, oh ito mura ito, kukunin na nila, ganun ang transaction nila,” he said. </p><p>The PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) is now investigating the incorporators and owners of the property.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>ILLEGAL TOBACCO TRADE</strong></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1770264497733Screen Shot 2026-02-05 at 11.58.45 AM_cropped_processed_by_imagy.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">📷༘  Karen de Guzman, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the operation highlighted the police force’s intensified campaign against the illegal tobacco trade.</p><p>“Ang mga smugglers na ito ay walang lugar sa ating bansa. We will continue to protect our communities from illegal goods and ensure that laws are strictly enforced,” Nartatez said in a statement.  </p><p>The PNP chief added that the discovery of the facility indicates a broader law enforcement strategy to trace the supply chain of contraband — from smuggling entry points to hidden manufacturing and distribution hubs. </p><p>Apart from anti-smuggling operations targeting cigarettes, the PNP-HPG also recently reported the confiscation of P221.5 million worth of allegedly misdeclared Apple products at a checkpoint along Mindanao Avenue in Barangay Bahay Toro, Quezon City on January 28.</p><p>“The PNP is relentless in its fight against illegal trade. From our anti-smuggling raids in Batangas and Malabon to campaigns against counterfeit products, ang aming layunin ay protektahan ang mamamayan at ipatupad ang batas,” Nartatez said.</p><p>He urged the public to report suspicious and illegal activities, stressing the police force’s continued efforts to dismantle criminal networks that undermine the country’s economy and internal security.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VUYIOawMi9Q?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Authorities arrested six Chinese nationals and rescued 65 Filipinos during a raid on a suspected illegal cigarette factory inside a warehouse in Barangay Panipuan, Mexico, Pampanga.</p>

Authorities arrested six Chinese nationals and rescued 65 Filipinos during a raid on a suspected illegal cigarette factory inside a warehouse in Barangay Panipuan, Mexico, Pampanga.

6 Chinese nabbed, 65 Filipinos rescued in Pampanga raid on alleged illegal cigarette factory

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6 Chinese nabbed, 65 Filipinos rescued in Pampanga raid on alleged illegal cigarette factory

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 05, 2026 07:57 AM PHT

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Updated February 05, 2026 01:46 PM PHT

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