Remulla: Illegal cigarettes smugglers have ‘backers’ in governmentDepartment of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla, alongside Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief PGen. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is preparing charges against an alleged smuggler of illicit cigarettes, but agency secretary Jonvic Remulla says that these illegal operations are likely backed by government officials. The DILG has raided an illegal warehouse owned by a certain Jimmy Reyes Cua in Tanza, Cavite. This is the fifth warehouse in a series of government raids against tobacco smugglers, with Remulla eyeing 10 major raids in total. Aside from being backed by officials, Remulla said that many of the warehouses and illegal factories that police have raided are owned by Chinese nationals.

Source: Philippine Star February 20, 2026 04:35 UTC