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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