Ten Chinese nationals and four Filipinos were arrested after authorities uncovered an alleged cigarette manufacturing warehouse in Bago City, Negros Occidental, on Tuesday morning, April 21.
The arrests were made during a joint inspection conducted around 10 a.m. at the warehouse of LT Besañes Trading Corp. in Purok Rosas, Barangay Calumangan, initially for permit and licensing verification.
The operation, headed by Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region operatives with support from Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, local police units, Philippine Coast Guard Intelligence, and the National Tobacco Administration, led to the discovery of equipment believed to be used in the production of illegal cigarettes.
Recovered at the site were three loader machines, three packaging machines, and assorted paraphernalia used for cigarette manufacturing.
Police identified the arrested individuals as 10 Chinese nationals and four Filipinos currently residing in the area, while one suspect remains at large.
Authorities have coordinated with the Bureau of Internal Revenue Region 12 in Bacolod City for inventory and documentation of the seized items.
IN BACOLOD
Meanwhile, Mayor Greg Gasataya, in coordination with the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) and the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO), led a joint inspection of a warehouse allegedly used to store raw materials for illicit cigarette production in Barangay Alijis on Tuesday afternoon.
Also present were operatives from the Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region Regional Intelligence Division, who discovered thousands of boxes of packaging materials and other paraphernalia estimated to be worth millions of pesos, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said.
“We commend the PNP and other agencies for their continued efforts to apprehend illegal activities in our area,” Gasataya said.
The discovery was linked to an earlier operation in Barangay Calumangan, Bago City, where 13 individuals were arrested and equipment used for cigarette production was confiscated.
Upon receiving the report, the mayor and BPLO personnel immediately conducted an inspection of the warehouse, leading to the discovery of stockpiled raw materials.
“On the part of the city, we will provide full support to prevent activities that harm public health and the local business sector. We assure the people of Bacolod that there will be no letup in going after these illegal operations,” Gasataya said.
PCol. Eugene Rebadomia, Bacolod OIC police director, said authorities are still verifying information regarding the possible owner or renter of the warehouse.
“We are currently validating information and gathering data to identify those involved,” Rebadomia said.
He also emphasized the importance of coordination between local government units and law enforcement agencies in combating illegal cigarette production.
“We need to intensify monitoring and collaboration, as operations of this scale cannot be uncovered without strong coordination,” he said.*
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