DILG: 2 POLITICIANS IN NORTHERN LUZON BEHIND SPREAD OF FAKE CIGARETTES IN PH

BY KEVIN GALANG

THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday disclosed that two politicians in Northern Luzon are behind the proliferation of fake cigarettes in the country.

In a press conference at the Samyoung Global Enterprises compound in Bgy. Panipuan, Mexico, Pampanga, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said police intelligence reports show that the two Northern Luzon politicians are the masterminds behind the smuggling and manufacturing of fake cigarettes.

“We suspect that there are two Northern Luzon politicians behind it. We are still investigating. Hindi ko pa maibibigay mga pangalan nila but there are politicians behind this,” he said.

When asked what roles the two politicians are playing in the smuggling and illegal manufacture of cigarettes, Remulla replied: “Sila ang mastermind. Sila ang financier.”

The DILG secretary said the two politicians are involved “in the entire ecosystem” of the illegal operation.

Remulla issued the statement following a raid by the authorities at an illegal cigarette factory at the Samyoung Global Enterprises compound iin Bgy. Panipuan where six Chinese nationals were arrested and 63 Filipinos were rescued.

Of the 63 Filipino workers rescued,  52 are males and 11 are females.

Remulla said the Filipino workers are victims of human trafficking. 

“Hindi sila sinuwelduhan at pinatira sila sa mga dormitory na may inhuman conditions,” he said.

At the Samyoung Global Enterprises compound, Remulla and Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno, and personnel from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) showed samples of the illegally manufactured  fake cigarettes.

Remulla said the six Chinese nationals arrested arrived as tourists in the Philippines from March to December 2025.

The arrest was made when the BOC, along with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)and Philippine Coast Guard  (PCG) raided the compound last January 28.

The DILG chief said the suspects used three manufacturing machines capable of producing P450 million of cigarettes per day.

He said the Chinese were able to distribute billions worth of fake cigarettes in the local market.

Remulla said tons of tobacco leaves and fake BIR stamps were  recovered in the factory.

The origin of the tobacco leaves are being investigated to ascertain if they are imported or locally sourced.