BY JOEL CALAMBA ESCOL, Managing Editor
MDNN National – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) offices in the country conducted the other day simultaneous raids in warehouses, as it declared war against unscrupulous traders involved in the proliferation of untaxed, illegal and fake cigarettes.
This is the first ever bold move of the agency under the leadership of its very active and daring Commissioner Romeo Lumagui, Jr.
Authorities, it was learned, swooped down on 378 stores in Luzon, Viasayas and Mindanao accompanied by its regional enforcers when they raided the warehouses.
“Let me make this clear to you, illegal traders. This is just the beginning of our simultaneous nationwide operations. We are serious in our crackdown against the illicit cigarette trade. We will be strict on implementing the law from hereon,” Commissioner Lumagui warned illegal traders in the country
The BIR chief thanked the PNP organization and the local government units (LGUs) which made their operations nationwide very successful.
He also lauded all the BIR offices in the country for their concerted efforts in bringing illegal traders to answer all the offenses, violations and fines.
In Luzon, a total of 195 simultaneos enforcements were made in Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite, Rizal, Palawan and Manila.
In Mindanao, authorities also launched the same operations and raided 115 stores and warehouses, while there were also 68 store visits and raids in the Visayas region.
