Alarmed by the alleged involvement of government security forces in tobacco smuggling, Senator Win Gatchalian has filed a resolution seeking a Senate inquiry.

The chairperson of the Senate Finance Committee said the problem is particularly disturbing because it involves high-ranking uniformed personnel who are supposed to maintain national security, uphold the law, and protect the lives and property of the people. 

“The illicit trade of tobacco products does not only result in lost revenue from unpaid taxes. More importantly, it undermines the rule of law, jeopardizes public health, and enriches criminal networks,” the senator said as he filed Senate Resolution 250.

Gatchalian’s proposed resolution follows a claim made by the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) that the alleged financiers of a group involved in the smuggling of tobacco products are “members of the security forces”. 

The HPG recently arrested 7 Chinese nationals for smuggling ₱129.06 million worth of cigarettes in Quezon City and Valenzuela. In December last year, the HPG discovered a total of ₱2.6 billion worth of smuggled tobacco products in Malabon and Batangas City.