P400-M bootleg cigar maker also faces trafficking raps

The Mexico, Pampanga factory producing illicit cigarettes is also suspected to be engaged in human trafficking, according to Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla.

The seized operations in Mexico, Pampanga, can produce P150 million worth of cigarettes per day. 

Remulla, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief P/Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez and Bureau of Customs (BoC) Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno were present at a briefing at the site of the captured illegal manufacturing plant.  

The assault on the illegal factory at Samyoung Global Enterprises in Barangay Panipuan resulted in the arrest of six Chinese and 63 Filipinos and the recovery of P400 million worth of smuggled cigarettes. 

Remulla said the six Chinese men are also accused of forcing 65 Filipinos to work in “inhumane” conditions. 

“They have been rescued. They are victims of human trafficking. We have not seen any lease contract from the Chinese manufacturer, which makes the landowner, Samyoung, and its incorporators liable as well,” Remulla said. 

The operators then recruited the 65 Filipinos, 54 men and 11 women, with the promise of a P15,000 monthly salary, according to Remulla. 

“Their wages are not being paid, despite promises that they would be. The barracks provided to them are in almost inhuman conditions. That is called involuntary servitude,” he added.

The officials conducted a walkthrough of the barracks, which showed they were set up in a grassy area of the lot and made only of wooden planks and corrugated metal roof sheets.

“There are no windows… only a single light. No electric fan. They sleep on bare wooden platforms,” Remulla said.  

He also pointed to an area of the lot in which “rejected” cigarettes were disposed of by burning. He noted the rescued Filipino workers were now receiving the proper assistance.

Remulla said they have confiscated three cigarette manufacturing machines and two cigarette packing machines, capable of producing an estimated P150 million worth of cigarettes per day or P4.5 billion worth per month.

According to Remulla, the first Chinese operator arrived in the Philippines as a tourist to set up shop in Pampanga last March, followed by five companions in December. The operation supposedly began at the start of January.