In line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen border security and protect government revenue, and under the strict orders of Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno, the Bureau of Customs (BOC), through its Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) and Enforcement and Security Service (ESS), has intensified its crackdown on illicit trade, leading to the apprehension of possible long-standing smuggling syndicates and achieving record-breaking tobacco seizures.
BOC deputy chief of staff and spokesman Atty. Chris Noel Bendijo said that during the first working week of the year, a BOC composite team from CIIS and ESS assigned at the Port of Limay, together with personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard – Task Force Aduana, and in coordination with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Regional Office No. 4 Central Luzon – Regional Investigation Division, based on a valid Letter of Authority (LOA), conducted an inspection of a compound located in Barangay Santa Isabel, Dinalupihan, Bataan on January 9, 2026 which resulted in the successful apprehension and seizure of an estimated P105.575 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes.
Said operation, according to Bendijo, was further carried out in close coordination with Barangay Santa Isabel officials and the Philippine National Police – Bataan Provincial Police Office (PPO), with security support provided by Charlie Company, 69th Infantry Battalion, 7th Infantry Division, Philippine Army.
Inside the compound, he said the team discovered 12 motor vehicles loaded with approximately 1,030 master cases of tobacco products bearing brands such as Modern, RGD, Nise Baisha, HP, Power, Carnival, Playboy and President. Based on the packaging and initial investigation, the countries of origin of these cigarettes are China, Vietnam and Korea. The total estimated value of the seized goods is P105,575,000.
Initial investigation indicates that these smuggled cigarettes were intended for local distribution in Regions II and III, Bendijo added.
Commissioner Nepomuceno emphasized the agency’s commitment to the President’s directive, stating: “This successful operation demonstrates our relentless drive to combat smuggling and protect government revenue. Through collaboration and cooperation among government agencies, we can work together to solve this problem and ensure that those who attempt to circumvent our laws are held accountable.”
“The BOC reiterates its unwavering commitment to secure the country’s borders, uphold trade integrity, and support the administration’s efforts to strengthen national security and economic stability,” Nepomuceno added.
