Talisay city: The Philippine National Police (PNP) Negros Occidental Maritime Police Station (MARPSTA) on Thursday led the disposal of PHP8.9 million worth of illegal cigarettes seized a year ago in Cauayan town in southern Negros. The destruction of the illegal items was held at the sanitary landfill of Talisay City with the assistance of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office and City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
According to Philippines News agency, the city government stated its support for anti-smuggling operations and the campaign promoting stricter action against illegal tobacco trade across Negros Occidental. 'Mayor Rowena Lizares stands with the authorities and lauds the Negros Occidental Maritime Police Station for the proper disposal of the confiscated smuggled cigarettes,' it added.
The disposed products, which were confiscated on May 19, 2025, included 11,450 reams of illegal cigarettes, comprising 4,300 reams of Dunston, 800 reams of Fort, 2,350 reams of Casa Blanca, and 4,000 reams of Champion cigarettes. These were shredded, soaked in water, and buried in compliance with sanitary landfill regulations to ensure that the items could no longer be recovered or sold.
In a radio interview, Negros Occidental MARPSTA chief Maj. Karl Bonilla confirmed that the seized cigarettes were smuggled into the country, passing through Mindanao and shipped to southern Negros. 'The products disposed of were confiscated by the PNP Maritime Group last year during our operation in Cauayan,' he added.
Last month, operations led by the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Negros Occidental dismantled a massive illegal cigarette manufacturing and distribution network in the neighboring cities of Bacolod and Bago. Authorities netted almost PHP800 million in raw materials, manufacturing and packing machines, assorted cigarette products, and packaging materials.
During his visit to Negros Occidental following the two operations, Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla remarked that such illicit trade 'deprives the government of billions in excise tax revenues that should otherwise fund public healthcare and essential social services.'
