Mexico, Pampanga — Sixty-five Filipino workers were rescued from cramped, makeshift barracks with no windows or proper ventilation during a joint operation by the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Customs (BOC), and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) that raided a large-scale illegal cigarette factory in Barangay Panipuan on Thursday.

In a press briefing at the raided site, Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla described the workers’ living conditions as “almost inhuman.”

“Walang bintana… Isang ilaw lang. Walang electric fan. Nasa papag lang nakahiga,” he said, adding that the 54 men and nine women were recruited with promises of ₱15,000 monthly salaries but were never paid.

“They were rescued – they are victims of human trafficking. We have not yet found any lease contract from the Chinese manufacturers, so the land owner and the incorporators of Samyoung are also liable,” Remulla said. He added that the firm, Samyoung Global Enterprises, has three Filipino and two Korean incorporators, with one Filipino incorporator already subpoenaed.

Six Chinese nationals were arrested during the operation, which targeted the facility allegedly operated by Samyoung Global Enterprises, Remulla said.

He added that the site was capable of producing up to ₱150 million worth of illicit cigarettes daily, with seized items estimated at ₱400 million. This brings the total value of illegal cigarette confiscations nationwide in recent weeks to about P10 billion.

Authorities said the primary Chinese operator entered the Philippines as a tourist in March 2025, with five others arriving in December. Operations allegedly began in early January this year, and investigators believe at least 10 other illegal manufacturing sites across the country may be linked to the same network.

Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Director Robert Alexander Morico II said the Chinese suspects are facing inquest proceedings for violating the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, with a preliminary investigation scheduled for 9 February. He said cases under the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act and environmental laws are also being prepared.

PNP chief Jose Melencio Nartatez said the crackdown will extend beyond factory operators to the entire supply chain, including retail outlets identified as recipients of undocumented cigarettes.

“These smugglers have no place in our country – we will trace contraband from ports to manufacturing hubs to protect our economy and people,” Nartatez said.

BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the operation is in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to stop activities that undermine legitimate businesses and deprive public health services of vital excise taxes.

“This is an international network with links to Singapore and Indonesia, but we will not let them exploit our laws and our people,” Nepomuceno said.

The rescued workers are now receiving government assistance, while follow-up operations against other suspected illegal cigarette factories are expected in the coming weeks.