PHILIPPINES
The Philippines’ customs department destroyed smuggled cigarette manufacturing machines on November 18 to send a message to smugglers to stop their illegal business practices, shortchanging the government of the rightful revenues.
The machines – seven cigarette-making machines, one plastic recycling machine, one manual lifter, one generator set, and one generator cooling system – were seized last February 19 and forfeited last July 26 for violation of Section 1113 (f) and (l) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
The demolition of the machines was witnessed by Port of Clark personnel led by District Collector Ruby Alameda, representatives from the Ports Operations Service, National Tobacco Corporation, Commission on Audit, Japan Tobacco Inc., and Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corp. (PMFTC).
The Port of Clark also destroyed two sets of cigarette manufacturing machines, one semi-automatic strapping machine, a plastic shredding facility, 145 cigarette master cases, packaging materials, and tax stamps the following day.