14/08/2026
๐ฆ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐๐ข ๐๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐ข๐๐ก๐ง ๐๐๐ฅ-๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ง๐ฅ๐จ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ก ๐ข๐ ๐ฆ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ง ๐ง๐ข๐๐๐๐๐ข ๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐จ
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Revenue Region No. 13โCentral Visayas, together with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) Port of Cebu, destroyed seized illicit to***co products and manufacturing materials on August 13, 2026, in an activity led by Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go.
The destruction covered 170,052 packs of illicit ci******es, 1,567 boxes and sacks of cigarette raw materials, and two production machines seized from various enforcement operations in Cebu, involving around P240 million in unpaid taxes and administrative penalties.
โI would like to commend the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs for all their efforts. It is not easy, but in the two months of June and July of this year, they were able to apprehend P1.7 billion worth of illicit products,โ Secretary Go said, assuring both agencies of the Department of Financeโs full support in strengthening enforcement and holding those engaged in illegal activities accountable.
Secretary Go stressed that the campaign against illicit to***co is driven by both revenue protection and public health.
โThere are really two reasons why we do this. First is that we have foregone revenues that could be used to help the programs of the government and help the people of the country. Second is also the health angle: when illicit to***co enters our shores, and our citizens unknowingly use these illicit products, there could be serious consequences to their health,โ Secretary Go said.
BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza commended the joint destruction activity and the efforts of Revenue Region No. 13โCentral Visayas, led by Regional Director Douglas Rufino, together with the Bureauโs inter-agency enforcement partners. He also directed concerned BIR offices to ensure the swift and proper disposal of seized illicit to***co products as soon as seizure and forfeiture proceedings are completed.
โOnce the proceedings are final, there should be no unnecessary delay in disposing of these illicit products. We will also continue working closely with the Bureau of Customs and our other enforcement partners to strengthen the campaign against illicit to***co, keep these products off the market, and hold those responsible accountable,โ Commissioner Mendoza said.
The Bureau will pursue the filing of appropriate criminal cases arising from its enforcement operations. These enforcement actions form part of the Revenue Collection and Base Protection pillar of BIR DARES and the Bureauโs continuing campaign against illicit trade.
