Recent anti-illicit tobacco operations in Pampanga have protected an estimated P460.98 million in government revenues, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) announced Saturday.
Pampanga Operations Target Tax Evasion
The operations, conducted on February 11 and 16, 2026, were led by BIR Revenue Region No. 4 (Central Luzon) in coordination with the Philippine National Police–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG). The BIR stated the actions are part of a continuing strategy to disrupt illicit tobacco supply chains and strengthen excise tax law compliance.
On February 11, enforcement teams raided Chamian Commercial Warehouse in Barangay Panipuan, City of San Fernando, Pampanga, seizing cigarette manufacturing equipment and raw materials valued at approximately P147.6 million. Around 700,000 counterfeit excise tax stamps, estimated at P48.62 million, were also recovered.
The BIR’s Excise Tax Stamp Authentication System verified the stamps were intended for illegal cigarette production and distribution, indicating an organized scheme to evade excise tax obligations.
Further operations on February 16 at Golden Sun 999 Industrial Park in San Simon, Pampanga, resulted in the seizure of 1,013 master cases of illicit cigarettes, equivalent to roughly 506,500 packs. The corresponding tax liability was estimated at P412.36 million, including excise tax, value-added tax, surcharges, interest, administrative penalties, and inspection fees.
Internal Revenue Commissioner Charlito Martin Mendoza emphasized the importance of sustained enforcement against illicit tobacco trade to protect lawful revenue collection and secure government resources for public services.
“We will relentlessly pursue those who seek to undermine lawful revenue collection. Our enforcement actions safeguard government resources and ensure that funds intended for essential public services are protected from illicit trade,” Mendoza said.
The BIR also noted that intensified enforcement protects legitimate manufacturers and compliant taxpayers by addressing unfair competition from illicit traders. Follow-up investigations are underway to identify warehouse owners and other responsible parties, with criminal and tax charges being prepared under the National Internal Revenue Code and other applicable laws.
The bureau will continue nationwide operations against illicit cigarette manufacturing and the use of counterfeit excise tax stamps to protect public revenues and uphold the integrity of the tax system.
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