CitizenWatch Philippines, a civic watchdog, is urging authorities to secure and dispose of recently seized illicit cigarettes to prevent them from returning to the market. The group warned that any premature release would undermine law enforcement and public trust. Recently, the Philippine Navy intercepted four vessels involved in cigarette smuggling in Mindanao waters, seizing 7,090 master cases, or about 70.9 million cigarette sticks, with an estimated market value of P283 million. This seizure represents about P267 million in lost government revenue from excise and value-added taxes. CitizenWatch convenor Orlando Oxales expressed confidence in the enforcement agencies’ ability to uphold due process but emphasized the importance of transparent handling of goods after a seizure. The group appealed to Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno to shield frontline enforcers from undue pressure and ensure all goods are protected, as lost tax revenue directly deprives the public of essential services such as healthcare and hospital infrastructure, and keeping unregulated products out of circulation is a matter of public health, particularly in protecting youth from cheap products.
