• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
More than P1 million worth of smuggled cigarettes were seized by authorities in Barangay Balintawak, Escalante City, Negros Occidental on Monday.
Initial investigation conducted by the Philippine National Police Maritime Command showed that the smuggled cigarettes were recovered in an abandoned house.
A total of 1,692 reams of cigarettes in assorted brands were recovered by combined operatives of PNP Maritime Command led by PCapt. Reynaldo Bauden Jr. and Bureau of Internal Revenue.
In previous months, smuggled cigarettes were also recovered by the police in Binalbagan, Ilog and also in Escalante City.
PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil vowed to eradicate cigarette smuggling, following reports that the government lost a staggering P25.5 billion in 2023 due to the illicit trade.
Marbil said that the battle against counterfeit and smuggled cigarettes is not just a fight for revenue or law enforcement but “a crusade to safeguard the health of our people and ensure economic stability. | GB
