The joint force of DILG, BOC, PNP, and BIR discovered the illegal operations of the cigarette factory in Barangay Panipuan, Mexico, Pampanga.

According to DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla, three manufacturing machines were discovered in the factory. Each machine can produce 150 million pesos worth of cigarettes a day. 

“Ang nahuli po namin dito ngayon ay tatlong makina na actively on the spot po nagma-manufacture ng sigarilyo. Bawat makina po ay kayang gumawa ng 150 million pesos worth of cigarretes a day.” SILG Remulla said at a press briefing

[“What we have seen here today is that there are three machines, actively, on the spot, manufacturing cigarette. Each machine can make 150 million pesos worth of cigarettes a day.”]

Two packing machines were also confiscated. 

Six Chinese nationals were nabbed while 65 Filipino workers (54 men, 11 women) were rescued from the raid.

The Chinese nationals were considered as tourist when they entered the Philippines. 

The 65 rescued locals were offered worth at least 15,000 pesos monthly salary. The offer is 15/30, but they weren’t paid for their last cut off, which is why SILG Remulla said that it can be considered as involuntary servitude.

“Dapat 15/30 ang bayad [sa kanila] pero hindi po sila sinuwelduhan nung huling pagta-trabaho dito kaya we consider that involuntary servitude ‘yung ginagawa nila.” he said

[“The payment for them was supposed to be 15/30 but they weren’t paid for their recent work here that’s why we consider that involuntary servitude.”]

More than that, the barracks provided to the workers is almost inhumane, according to SILG Remulla.

“Almost inhumane conditions ang barracks na binigay sa kanila.”

Remulla also stated that this falls under involuntary servitude, together with human trafficking; they work without pay and live in almost inhumane conditions.

He also reported that these illegal products were offered to sari-sari stores in low price.

“Kalahati lang ang presyo [ng] pagbenta nila eh pero ang mark-up ng sari-sari store, mas mataas. Dumadaan lang ‘yan, naka-wing van, bubuksan, papakita yung produkto, “ito mura ‘to”, kukunin na nila.”

Hence, Remulla warns the sari-sari stores that if they are caught selling undocumented and illegal products, they will also be involved under non-bailable offense, as this is linked to Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act.

“Kailangang malaman ng lahat na from manufacturing to transportation to distribution to retail lahat po ‘yan ay liable sa Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act,” he said

[“Everyone must be informed that from manufacturing to transportation to distribution to retail, all of them are liable under Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act.”]

"Lahat po ‘yan ay non-bailable. Kaya nakiki-usap kami sa lahat ng maliliit na tindahan, kung kayo po ay mahulihan ng illegal na sigarilyo, pati po kayo ay makakasuhan ng non-bailable offense.” he added

[“All of them are non-bailable. That’s why we are appealing to small retail stores, you can be charge of non-bailable offense.]