By Ferdinand Patinio
Approximately 1,600 master cases of cigarettes lacking Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) tax stamps, valued at PHP175 million, were recently discovered at a private port and compound in Zambales, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) reported Saturday.
In a news release, the BOC said the items were found inside four shipping containers during an interagency operation in Palauig town on Oct. 20.
During the initial inspection, operatives detected a strong scent of tobacco emanating from the four containers.
Upon opening in the presence of village representatives and police officers, authorities discovered cigarettes branded as “Modern” that lacked BIR tax stamps.
The shipment is currently in BOC custody, while the containers have been resealed and padlocked pending further investigation and the conduct of a final inventory.
At the same time, the BOC said the verification and documentation of the discovered cigarettes are underway, which will serve as the basis for appropriate action and for determining the liability of those involved.
In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen the campaign against smuggling, the BOC vowed to continue to bolster coordination with partner agencies and enhance surveillance at ports and cargo storage facilities.
“We will not allow shipments that evade taxes to slip through. With the help of our partner agencies, we will continue to intensify our monitoring efforts to protect public funds and the livelihoods of law-abiding businesses,” BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said in a statement.
The operation was spearheaded by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service and Enforcement and Security Service, Philippine Coast Guard Task Force Aduana, Philippine National Police-Central Luzon, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Additional security was provided by the 69th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army.
