1210-million worth of smuggled cigarettes destroyed

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Smuggled cigarettes with an estimated market value of 1210 million were destroyed here Tuesday, May 19, according to Bureau of Customs (BOC) Zamboanga City District Collector Segundo Barte Jr.

According to Barte, BOC Commissioner Rey Leonardo B Guerrero ordered him, Monday, May 18, to immediately destroy the 7,000 master cases of smuggled imported cigarettes seized by the BOC, police and military authorities in the Zamboanga City, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi (ZamBaSulTa) area since June last year.

“Commissioner Guerrero ordered me last Monday to destroy all the seized smuggled cigarettes we confiscated and (have) remained in our (BOC) bodegas since June last year to date,” Barte told reporters here covering the massive destruction of the contraband.

Barte emphasized that the entry of imported cigarettes to this city were a clear violation of Executive Order No. 245 governing the exportation and Importation of tobacco and Tobacco Products and Section 117 and 1113 paragraphs a and f and of Republic Act (RA) 10863 otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) of 2016.

Bartealso solicited the help of Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco in the destruction of the imported cigarettes since BOC had “no accredited condemnation facility” in this city.

According to Barte, Climaco alsosent two dump trucks and a pay loader to help BOC dispose of the contraband.

Barte said the destroyed cigarettes had to be disposed properly in order not to violate Republic Act No. 8749, otherwise known as the Philippine Clean Air Act.

The BOC district collector explained that the Philippines Clean Air Act of 1999 (Republic Act No. 8749) outlined the government’s measures to reduce air pollution and incorporate environmental protection into its development plans.

Adding that RA 8749 was a comprehensive air quality management policy and program of the government which aims to achieve and maintain healthy air for all Filipinos.

Officials of the city council, and senior officials of the police and military were present to witness the destruction of the illegally imported tobacco products.