The authorities are zeroing in on two Central Luzon (CL) congressmen as persons of interest following the shutdown of four illegal cigarette manufacturing operations in the region, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Monday.

Remulla declined to name the lawmakers for now but said that one of them had asked for a meeting with him, which he turned down.

“One Central Luzon congressman has been asking for an appointment with me,” Remulla said. “I refused because they are still under investigation. They are persons of interest. We are still determining who is really protecting these operations.”

The four illegal cigarette factories that were raided and closed included one at the Chamian Commercial Warehouse in San Fernando, Pampanga which Remulla inspected Monday with Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno and Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez.

Remulla said the near-simultaneous closure of several plants raised red flags.

“When one was caught on the 29th (January) in San Simon, another in Mexico also shut down, almost at the same time. That’s too much of a coincidence,” Remulla said. “Now we’re looking into who the overall mastermind is.”

He said that six Chinese nationals previously arrested had entered the country last year and only began producing illegal cigarettes in January.

Remulla estimated that the machines seized at the Pampanga site alone were capable of producing P160-million worth of cigarettes a day — which could bring in as much as P450 million a day at retail prices.

“If you compute it based on around P180 per pack, the amount is massive,” he said.

Authorities placed the total value of the confiscated machines and products at P400 million.

Records showed the warehouse was registered under Fast-track Trade Link, with listed owners Richard Uy, Marilyn Garcia and Leonardo Lim — though Remulla said they are believed to be “dummies” or fronts.

Remulla also revealed that the government has lost an estimated P30 billion to illegal cigarette operations this year alone, prompting the authorities to file charges under the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act.

“That law is very heavy — it includes property seizures and non-bailable offenses,” he said. “But what we’re after is the entire ecosystem: manufacturing, distribution and retail.”

He said the authorities have begun shutting down retailers, particularly small sari-sari stores where illegal cigarettes are commonly sold, with the Bureau of Internal Revenue set to file cases.

“These aren’t sold in formal places like convenience stores. They’re distributed using vans and sold in small shops,” Remulla said. “Retailers earn about PP40 per pack, while manufacturers make around P50 to P60. Altogether, that’s roughly P100 in profit per pack.”

Remulla said the operation reflects the government’s commitment to protecting consumers, public health and legitimate businesses, in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive.

“This administration has been clear,” Remulla said. “Large-scale illegal operations that endanger public health and undermine the law will be confronted and shut down — no excuses.”