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Jean Mangaluz - Philstar.com
January 23, 2026 | 4:16pm
Members of the Bureau of Customs (BoC) destroy around 19,000 boxes of smuggled cigarettes at a port in Zamboanga on April 28, 2023.
Photos courtesy of Roel Pareño
MANILA, Philippines — Following the alleged involvement of government personnel in tobacco smuggling, Senate Finance Chair Win Gatchalian is seeking a probe into the illicit trade.
Gatchalian cited a recent incident where seven Chinese suspects were arrested trying to allegedly smuggle illegal cigarettes in Quezon City and Valenzuela. The illegal drugs had an estimated value of P129.06 million.
Authorities suspected that the suspects collaborated with uniformed government personnel.
Gatchalian filed Senate Resolution 250 to probe the possible involvement of government security forces in aiding tobacco smuggling.
“The illicit trade of tobacco products does not only result in lost revenue from unpaid taxes. More importantly, it undermines the rule of law, jeopardizes public health, and enriches criminal networks,” Gatchalian said.
In December 2025, 32 trucks filled with smuggled tobacco amounting to P2.6 billion were confiscated by authorities.
Following this incident, Marikina City 2nd district Rep. Miro Quimbo is likewise seeking a House probe into tobacco smuggling.
The Senate will resume session on Monday, January 26 after the holiday break.
