MANILA – Philippine National Police (PNP) acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr directed a thorough investigation to identify and arrest those funding large-scale cigarette smuggling operations in the country.

“Your Philippine National Police has been successful in confiscating every smuggled cigarette that we monitor in our intelligence radar. While arrests were also made, we want to dig deeper to identify the financiers and hold them accountable for their illegal activities,” Nartatez said.

The directive follows recent seizures by the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the PNP Highway Patrol Group (HPG)-Metro Manila of PHP516 million worth of illegal cigarettes on Friday.

Nartatez noted that PNP-HPG teams also uncovered PHP1.1 billion in suspected smuggled cigarettes during an anti-car theft operation in Batangas City on Dec. 31, 2025, and about PHP1.5 billion at a dockyard in Malabon City on the same day.

The PNP’s intensified campaign aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call to purge government corruption and strengthen efforts against illicit trade, which deprives the economy of crucial tax revenue.

Senate Finance Committee chair Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian has filed a resolution seeking an inquiry into allegations that high-ranking security officials are financing the illegal cigarette trade.

Nartatez assured that the PNP will fully cooperate with the Senate and other authorities to deter smuggling.