DILG Sec. Jonvic Remulla – Photo courtesy of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)/Facebook.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday said authorities are investigating at least 10 more allegedly illegal cigarette factories across the country, with two Northern Luzon congressmen reportedly involved.
The announcement follows the recent shutdown of a Pampanga factory, where authorities seized Php 400 million worth of cigarettes and five cigarette-making and packing machines. Six alleged Chinese operators were arrested, and 65 Filipino workers were rescued.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said authorities already have intelligence on the additional factories and expect to locate them within the coming days or weeks.
He did not disclose the locations of the other alleged manufacturing sites.
When asked if a syndicate was behind the operations, Remulla said investigations suggest two Northern Luzon politicians may be involved but declined to name them, later clarifying they are congressmen.
Remulla said the Pampanga seizure brings the total value of confiscated undocumented cigarettes nationwide in recent weeks to about P10 billion.
Authorities continue to coordinate with law enforcement agencies to track down the remaining alleged factories and hold operators accountable.