• THERESA MAE DULMAN
Authorities dismantled a large-scale illegal cigarette manufacturing and distribution network valued at approximately P799 million during simultaneous raids in Bago City and Bacolod City on April 22.
The operation led to the arrest of 10 Chinese nationals identified as Fugong Jiang, Wu JianQun, Xu Ke, Li Hong, Ye Jun, A Yac, Tan Jing, Wu Shaobin, Eron Chen, and Pan Zongxing, who were allegedly overseeing the illicit production and distribution hub.
The Philippine National Police and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, in coordination with the National Tobacco Administration, executed the mission under Oplan Megashopper, targeting a warehouse in Barangay Calumangan in Bago City and a secondary site in Barangay Singcang-Airport in Bacolod City, where they discovered industrial-grade machinery and raw materials.
The seized items include cigarette manufacturing and packing machines, tobacco stems, filter rods, and finished products destined for markets across Southern Luzon, Western Visayas, and the National Capital Region.
Initial investigation disclosed that the illegal manufacturing operation allegedly began in the third quarter of 2025 and was reportedly operated and supervised by foreign nationals.
Authorities are also looking into possible cases of forced labor and human trafficking of Filipino workers who were reportedly underpaid and restricted from leaving the facilities.
Criminal complaints, including violations of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act and the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, are now being prepared against the suspects.*
