ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) – Government authorities are keen on constantly reminding the public to stop patronizing smuggled goods and products, which has greatly impacted the local economy.
Zamboanga District Collector, Engr. Arthur G. Sevilla Jr. from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) underscored the importance of avoiding the purchase and sale of smuggled cigarettes. He cautioned the public that engaging in such transactions is a form of supporting smugglers and their illicit activities.
The BOC–Port of Zamboanga recently destroyed 5,624 master cases and 1,171 reams of seized and forfeited smuggled cigarettes worth P323.59 million in a rented warehouse in Brgy. Tetuan, Zamboanga city. In April 2023, the office also destroyed more than P1.4 billion worth of smuggled cigarettes. The subject cigarettes were seized during separate maritime patrol operations and customs checkpoints in Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.
“It’s illegal, bawal. Kapag binili mo yun, sumusuporta ka dun. (It’s illegal, it is prohibited. When you purchase it, it means you support smuggling activities),” he said.
In May 2023, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) tax evasion charges against illicit traders who were caught selling untaxed, fake, and smuggled cigarettes. Accordingly, the government lost around PHP50 billion to PHP100 billion due to illegal cigarette trade, an amount which should have been put to better use to fund health services and needed infrastructure.
The BIR is looking into the sources of the cigarettes being sold illegally across the country. Among the areas in focus is Zamboanga City, which is considered a “hotspot” for cigarette smuggling.
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has forged a robust partnership with various law enforcement agencies, including the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), the Philippine Navy, the Western Mindanao Command, and the coastguard, as part of an initiative to fortify the Bureau’s anti-smuggling campaign. Engr. Sevilla, in a stern warning, cautioned businessmen involved in the sale of smuggled and counterfeit cigarettes.
“Continuous effort ang binibigay ng Bureau of Customs. We’re always there, kaya laging may risk ang negosyo ninyo. Huhulihin namin kayo. (The Bureau of Customs gives its continuous effort. We’re always there, which means your business is always at risk. We will catch you.)” he said.
Engr. Sevilla vows to continue their efforts to combat the illicit tobacco trade in Western Mindanao.
“For this year alone, more than 1.7 billion worth of cigarettes have been destroyed. This is the largest in the history of customs concerning the anti-smuggling campaign through the efforts of the president of the Philippines and the commissioner of customs. The Bureau of Customs will not stop looking after the smugglers,” he said.
Meanwhile, Zamboanga City Mayor John Dalipe assures support for all anti-smuggling activities in the city. “Pwede kita dale ayuda y suporta na di-aton Bureau of Customs. As mayor of Zamboanga, taki io pirmi. All out-support ang city government kun all anti-smuggling activities na di aton ciudad. (We will help and support the Bureau of Customs. As mayor of Zamboanga, I am always here to give the all-out support of the city government to the anti-smuggling activities in the city).”
To identify fake and smuggled cigarettes, one should examine the case of the cigarettes and look for the tax stamp which is an image of a vinta and a tarsier, a unique identification code, the graphic health warning with picture and text, the DOH warning on the side and the name and address of the manufacturer. Without these, the cigarette must be fake and smuggled. (RVC/CCP/PIA9)
