FINANCE SEC GO LAUDS BoC AND BIR FOR RELENTLESS CAMPAIGN AGAINST ILLICIT CIGARETTES

CEBU CITY- To boost their morale,  Finance Secretary Frederick Go both lauded the performance of the Bureau of Customs (BoC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) recently here for their relentless campaign against illicit cigarettes.

“This inspection and destruction send a clear signal that we are united in going after smugglers and tax evaders. Every van we check and every box we destroy protects our economy and public health,” said Secretary Go, adding, “ I commend both the BOC and BIR for their vigilance and seamless coordination.”

The finance czar conducted an on-site inspection of P860M worth of 11 container vans containing intercepted illicit cigarettes at the Cebu International Port (CIP) last Thursday then along with his delegation proceeded to a warehouse in Mandaue City, where separate boxes of confiscated locally manufactured cigarettes and cigarette making machineries seized by the BIR were shredded and destroyed.

Totalling at least P240 million in lost revenue for the government because of non-payment of excise taxes, BIR 13 Regional Director Douglas Rufino revealed that seven (7) persons were arrested in an earlier operation in Daanbantayan and Mandaue City last October 2024.

“These are locally manufactured and we have apprehended seven individuals and are now being charged in court,” Rufino said in a press conference prior to the shredding with Secretary Go in attendance.

The BIR kept all their confiscated illegal cigarettes in the Zuellig warehouse in Subangdaku Mandaue City since 2022 and have literally destroyed all of them hence during the arrival of Go and DoF Undersecretary for Revenue Operations Group (ROG) Atty. Rolando Ligon, Jr.

Sought for reaction, Port of Cebu District Collector of Customs Atty. Zsae Carrie C. De Guzman said that the BoC will have a sustained operation against illicit cigarettes.

“Our inspection of these vans is just the first step—we are processing them for destruction to ensure they never reach the market. Today’s destruction of a separate batch in Mandaue further demonstrates our resolve. With the full support of the DOF and our partners at BIR, we are tightening our borders and sending a strong deterrent to smugglers,” De Guzman stressed.

De Guzman recently replaced former Port of Cebu Collector Alexandra Yap Lumontad who came under fire when the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) seized 23 container vans valued at P1.7 billion last June 22 in Tondo Manila which according to NBI Director Melvin Matibag have originated from Cebu.

Meanwhile as approved by Sec. Go, an underling of Lumontad, Jesus Lllorando, was also reassigned to the BoC Financial Management Office (FMO) where Lumontad is now the head of office.

Llorando used to be the Deputy Collector for Assessment whose position was taken over by Collector Rechilda Oquias, erstwhile head of the External Affairs Office of the Internal Administration Group (IAG).

Also pulled out from Cebu customs is Intelligence Officer 3 Carlo Bautista, the de facto intelligence officer of the port as the former supervisor of its Customs Intelligence and Investigation Services (CIIS). Bautista has been replaced by Intelligence Officer 2 Jose Mari Rongavilla the former Field Station Chief of CIIS in the Port of San Fernando in La Union.

In lieu of BoC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, Deputy Commissioner Atty. Agaton Teodoro Uvero of the BoC Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group (AOCG) also accompanied Secretary Go.

Nepomuceno has been steadfast in the BoC core mission to maximize revenue, facilitate lawful trade, and sustain the campaign against smuggling and illicit trade.

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(DoF Secretary Frederick Go (left) held a rim of seized ilicit cigarette which he showed to DoF Usec. Atty. Rolando Ligon, Jr. Port of Cebu District Collector of Customs Atty. Czae Carrie De Guzman and BoC Deputy Commissioner for AOCG Atty. Agaton Teodoro Uvero)

(Finance Secretary Frederick Go intently listens to BIR 13 Regional Director Douglas Rufino (holding a microphone)  during the presscon last Thursday in Mandaue City)

(The Customs Personnel Order (CPO) approved by DoF Secretary Frederick Go on the transfer of former CIIS Cebu Supervisor to the Port of Clark in Pampanga)

                          (The CPO ordering the transfer of erstwhile Port of Cebu Deputy Collector for Assessment Jesus Llorando vice Collector Rechilda Oquias)