GUIGUINTO, BULACAN — Authorities confiscated approximately 390 master cases of counterfeit cigarettes in a joint operation conducted on November 5, 2025, officials announced.

The operation, conducted around 9:30 p.m., targeted two warehouses in Guiguinto and Bulakan, Bulacan, and involved the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), and the Philippine Coast Guard’s Maritime Security Law Enforcement Command (MARSLEC), among other Coast Guard units.

The seized cigarettes, estimated to have a market value of P29 million, were stored at TIP Warehouse 6 in Tuktukan, Cruz Street, Guiguinto, and the Ecofortune Industrial Compound in Bulakan.

Six Chinese nationals were apprehended during the operation and are now in custody for the proper filing of criminal complaints. The suspects will face charges under the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 8293), including trademark infringement, unfair competition, and false designation of origin or representation.

The Philippine Coast Guard and its partner agencies said the operation underscores strong inter-agency coordination in enforcing laws against smuggling and the spread of counterfeit goods. Authorities also reiterated their commitment to protect legitimate businesses and safeguard consumers from the risks posed by counterfeit products.