Dev Flores

PAMPANGA – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), together with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Bureau of Customs (BOC), found the three illegal tobacco factories in Pampanga.

The factories are located in San Fernando, San Simon, and Mexico, Pampanga.

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla revealed that the three illegal factories are connected, based on findings from the PNP and BOC.

“They all started January 1, and they all ended this January 29,” he said.

Authorities found the facilities abandoned on February 16, 2026, with only raw tobacco leaves and machines left on the site.

Investigators discovered that the processing of raw tobacco began in San Simon, while manufacturing, drying, packing, and storage of cigarette boxes were conducted in San Fernando. The operation allegedly had the capacity to produce at least P160 million worth of cigarettes per day.

Remulla also revealed suspicions of a so-called “tobacco lord” allegedly behind the illegal operations. 

“Pero tingin namin may tobacco lord dito na nag-ooperate at ang hinala namin, hinala pa lang naman, ay dalawang Central Luzon Congressman.”

[“We believe there is a tobacco lord operating here, and we suspect, though it remains a suspicion, that two Central Luzon congressman may be involved.”]

Meanwhile, the DILG and PNP clarified that the illegal tobacco operations are not linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

“Pumasok po yung mga tao rito mga 2025 na eh. Sarado na lahat ng POGO nun,” Remulla said.

[“They came here in 2025. All POGOs had already been shut down at that time.”]

Authorities have initiated a case build-up against the syndicates behind the illegal tobacco operations. 

With reports from Lea Ylagan.

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Commercial fishers may now resume fishing activities in Visayan Sea and Zamboanga Peninsula. 

According to the advisory issued by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the three-month annual ban in the area ends on February 16, 2026.

The closed fishing season is regularly implemented for three months per year. This measure aims to protect fish species during the peak of the spawning and reproduction period.

Fishing operations have officially resumed today (February 17, 2026), authorizing the harvest of sardines, herrings, and mackerels in Visayan Sea and Zamboanga Peninsula (including East Sulu Sea, Basilan Strait, and Sibuguey Bay).

With reports from Lalaine Moreno

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The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) cautions domestic worker returnees against an illegal recruitment scheme that offers quick transfer to new employers using a previous Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) and fake documents.

This scheme targets the reach of OFWs with an old OEC. They will be offered a chance to work abroad using that certificate.

DMW Licensing and Adjudication Services Undersecretary Bernard Olalia warns them not to leave the Philippines and work abroad using the previous OECs and forged documents. He also urged them to follow legal procedures to ensure their safety. The DMW is also willing to give necessary support for those who wish to return to overseas employment.

“Dumaan po tayo sa proseso at tutulong po kami. Hahanap po kami ng employer kung kayo man ay nahihirapan humanap ng employer,” he said

[“Please go through the process and we will help. We will find an employer if you are struggling to look for an employer.”]

Usec. Olalia also reported that four victims were offered a chance to return to work overseas, promising a monthly salary ranging from $400 to $450.

“Nagpunta po ‘yung hindi bababa sa apat, 4 na nabiktima ng sindikato na ito at dahil po tayo ay may ugnayan sa NBI, nakipag-organisa po tayo ng isang entrapment. Nahuli po natin ito at kinasuhan po natin ng large-scale illegal recruitment. Ang ibig pong sabihin niyan, no bail,” he said

[At least 4 victims came. Four victims of the syndicate, and since we have a connection with the NBI, we organized an entrapment. We apprehended this and filed a case of large-scale recruitment. Meaning, no bail.”]

The alleged illegal recruiter, identified as Gie Celleros Viterbo, was caught in an entrapment operation conducted by the NBI-Human Trafficking Division and DMW Protection Bureau.

“Pa-deport sana siya sa Pilipinas pero tumalon at some point in a connection flight so nakatakas sa law enforcement pero nagbalik at ito na nga, nagsagawa ng pagkakaroon ng panibago na namang katiwalian kaya’t hindi na ito makakawala sa law enforcement, sa batas. Merong pre-trial na isasagawa sa Feb 26,” according to DMW Sec. Cacdac.

[She was supposed to be deported but jumped at some point in a connecting flight, so she escaped from law enforcement, but she returned, and here, she committed a new illegal act, and now there will be no space for her to escape law enforcement, from the law. There would be a pre-trial set on February 26.”]

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DPWH will not accept new project proposals until the uncompleted projects are still ongoing. This plan is effective nationwide, according to Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon.

“Kaya ngayon, sinabihan ko sila, bawal kayo mag-propose ng bago hangga’t di napopondohan yung di pa tapos,” he said

[“That’s why now, I told them, you are not allowed to propose something new until the unfinished are not yet fully funded.”]

This plan complies with the Executive directive to complete the pending projects within the prescribed timeline to ensure that the public funds are not wasted.

Hence, Sec. Dizon acknowledged the efforts of netizens in expressing their frustrations and disappointments regarding anomalies in the flood control projects. He also calls on the public to report any substandard projects they encounter.

“Ako, yung naglalabas ng social media, nagpapasalamat ako sa kanilang [lahat]. Nagpapasalamat ako kasi dapat naman talagang mainis tayong lahat pag may ganito,” he said

[“For me, those who are expressing [their sentiments] in social media, I thank them all. I am grateful because we must be frustrated with this encounter.”]

“In fact, mananawagan pa ako, kung meron pa kayong makitang unfinished, i-report niyo,” he added

[“In fact, I’ll call the attention of the public, if you encounter unfinished [projects], report to us,”]

In line with this, the agency plans to implement new reforms, particularly in planning and budgeting.

“I think ang importante is magkaroon tayo ng pagbabago sa pag-iisip tsaka dun sa sistema sa loob ng departamento and nag-uumpisa lahat yan sa planning tsaka sa budgeting,” Sec. Dizon said

[“I think the important is we must execute changes in the mindset and system within the department, and that starts from planning and budgeting.”]

With reports from Jed Nerecina

The Philippine National Police (PNP) successfully confiscated approximately ₱1,152,492.00 worth of cooking oil products in Brgy. San Rafael, Tarlac City.

CIDG Tarlac, together with Tarlac City Police Station, conducted an operation to locate the illegal cooking oil stockpile in the area.

The operation complies with a search warrant issued by Tarlac City Regional Trial Court, Branch 63, following the alleged violations of RA 9711 or Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009.

Hence, the PNP warns consumers to avoid buying unverified cooking oil products from unauthorized sellers to prevent health risks and ensure public safety.

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