Jonvic Remulla warns illegal cigarette traders: Raids in palengkes to start next week

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Saturday said raids against economic saboteurs — particularly distributors and manufacturers operating within public markets — will begin next week.

“Sa lahat ng palengke sa Pilipinas, pakiusap po, tumigil na kayo sa distribution nito (illegal cigarettes). Kapag kayo ay maabutan namin, non-bailable ang magiging charge ninyo,” Remulla warned.

He said illegal tobacco peddlers have one week to dispose of their contraband and halt distribution before authorities begin operations.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), a member of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Council, reiterated that individuals involved in the sale and distribution of smuggled agricultural products face severe penalties under Republic Act No. 12022, or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act.

The warning followed a scoping analysis conducted by the department to identify middlemen in the proliferation of illegal tobacco in public markets nationwide.

“Ang distribution niyan didiretso sa distributor, dadalhin sa palengke papuntang sari-sari store. Iyon po ang ecosystem ng illegal tobacco,” Remulla said.

He clarified that sari-sari stores caught selling illegal tobacco would be shut down and face minimum penalties, while distributors and manufacturers would face non-bailable charges.

“Pagdating sa mga distributors, manufacturers, non-bailable. To the full extent of the law, didiinan talaga namin sila,” he said.

Remulla stressed that illegal tobacco significantly harms the economy by depriving the government of tax revenues intended for public services.

“Nababawasan ang buwis para sa kapwa nating Pilipino. Ang pondo na para sana sa DOH, PGH, at lahat ng mga government hospitals,” he said.

He added that ongoing operations have already led to an increase in the price of locally produced tobacco in Ilocos and Pangasinan, benefiting farmers and the local industry. Remulla expressed optimism that 80 to 90 percent of the illegal cigarette trade could be eliminated within the next three months.

On Friday, February 20, Remulla presented to the media a dismantled illegal cigarette manufacturing and storage facility in Barangay Sahud-Ulan, Tanza, Cavite.

The facility, registered as Cavite South Luzon Steel Management and declared as a canned goods storage site, drew suspicion after a citizen reported a strong tobacco odor. Surveillance later confirmed cigarette manufacturing activities, prompting an inspection by the Bureau of Customs.

Authorities seized cigarette manufacturing machinery, industrial generators, a forklift, sacks of dried tobacco, packaging materials, raw cigarette components, alleged counterfeit finished products bearing various brand names, and boxes of Fresh Tobacco Square sets. The Bureau of Customs estimated the total value of the seized contraband at ₱200 million.

Suspects have yet to be formally identified as case build-up and inventory procedures continue in preparation for filing charges under Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, and Republic Act No. 12022.

The operation forms part of the DILG’s nationwide campaign against illegal tobacco. Remulla said intelligence-driven efforts are crucial in protecting government revenue, legitimate businesses, and public health, underscoring the administration’s commitment to inter-agency action against smuggling and counterfeit goods.

He also commended the joint inter-agency operation involving personnel from PNP CALABARZON, including the Regional Intelligence Division (RID), S2 Cavite, and Tanza Municipal Police Station; the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Cavite; the Bureau of Customs; the Armed Forces of the Philippines; the Bureau of Fire Protection; and the Local Government Unit of Tanza.