Senator Win Gatchalian has urged the Senate to investigate alarming allegations that some government security personnel may be involved in tobacco smuggling operations.
The chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance said the matter was particularly troubling as it implicated uniformed personnel entrusted with safeguarding national security, enforcing the law, and protecting citizens.
“Ang ilegal na kalakalan ng tobacco products ay hindi lamang hadlang sa kita dahil sa hindi nababayarang mga buwis,” Gatchalian said in a statement.
“Nilalabag din nito ang umiiral na batas, isang panganib sa kalusugan ng publiko, at pinapalawak pa nito ang network ng mga sindikato,” he added.
Gatchalian filed Senate Resolution No. 250 after the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) reported that suspected financiers of a cigarette and tobacco smuggling ring were allegedly “members of security forces.”
The issue came to light after the HPG arrested seven Chinese nationals in Quezon City and Valenzuela for smuggling ₱129.06 million worth of cigarettes.
Authorities also seized smuggled tobacco products worth ₱2.6 billion in Malabon and Batangas City last December, underscoring the scale of the illicit trade.
The senator stressed that the allegations must be thoroughly investigated to ensure accountability and to protect public health, government revenue, and the integrity of law enforcement institutions.