SECRETARY FREDERICK GO LEADS BIR DESTRUCTION OF SEIZED ILLICIT CIGARETTES, CIGARETTE-MAKING MATERIALS AND CIGARETTE PRODUCTION MACHINE IN CEBU
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Revenue Region No. 13, Central Visayas Region, conducted the destruction of Seized and Forfeited Illicit cigarettes and related manufacturing materials on August 13, 2026. This scheduled destruction is the culmination of a series of relentless and intelligence-driven enforcement operations conducted by the BIR RR No. 13, through its Regional […] The post SECRETARY FREDERICK GO LEADS BIR DESTRUCTION OF SEIZED ILLICIT CIGARETTES, CIGARETTE-MAKING MATERIALS AND CIGARETTE PRODUCTION MACHINE IN CEBU appeared first on Department of Finance .
Source: Philippines Department of Finance · August 17, 2026 at 6:31 PM · AI-assisted report
KUALA LUMPUR, 18 AUGUST 2026 —
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BIR DESTROYS PHP240M WORTH OF ILLICIT CIGARETTES IN CEBU UNDER SECRETARY GO’S WATCH
Market Impact
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Revenue Region No. 13, Central Visayas, destroyed 11 container vans of seized illicit cigarettes and related manufacturing materials on August 13, 2026, in Cebu. The destruction, witnessed by Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go, marked the culmination of enforcement operations from October 2024 to June 2025 targeting illegal cigarette production, storage, and distribution in Cebu Province and Mandaue City.
The BIR’s Regional Strike Team conducted intelligence-driven raids, seizing counterfeit tax stamps, cigarette-making machines, raw materials, packaging supplies, and chemicals. The total tax liabilities from these operations amounted to PHP240,641,547.71, excluding the value of confiscated machinery. BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza highlighted the success as a result of coordinated enforcement under the National Internal Revenue Code.
Secretary Go emphasized the government’s commitment to combating illicit trade, noting that PHP1.7 billion worth of illegal products were seized in June and July 2026 alone. “We will continue to strengthen these efforts and ensure accountability for those involved in illicit trade,” he stated.
The destruction underscores the BIR’s intensified crackdown on the black market for cigarettes, which has long undermined tax revenues and public health in the Philippines. The crackdown aligns with broader anti-illicit trade initiatives led by the Department of Finance.
For Malaysia, where illicit cigarette trade remains a persistent challenge, the BIR’s enforcement model offers a case study in inter-agency coordination and intelligence-led operations. Malaysian authorities have similarly ramped up seizures, with the Royal Malaysian Customs Department reporting record confiscations in recent years. The BIR’s success in Cebu may serve as a reference for enhancing cross-border collaboration and enforcement strategies.
The outlook remains focused on sustained enforcement, with the BIR and Bureau of Customs (BOC) expected to escalate operations against illegal manufacturers and distributors. Further destructions and prosecutions are anticipated as part of the government’s broader revenue protection and public safety agenda.