PNP receives patrol boats, motorbikes from Philip Morris
The Philippine National Police on Thursday formally accepted two patrol boats and 30 motorcycles donated by Philip Morris International (PMI) to boost its operations against the illicit trade of tobacco.
At the signing of the deed of donation held at Camp Crame, PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. thanked Philip Morris for the donation, which came two weeks after authorities raided an illegal cigarette factory in Mexico, Pampanga.
Some P400 million worth of tobacco products, raw materials, machinery and tax stamps were seized while six Chinese nationals were arrested in the Jan. 29 raid.
“We have been hard-hitting in the fight against illicit cigarettes, whether in the smuggling or the production of these cigarettes. With or without your donation it is our commitment to pursue these illicit activities for several reasons,” Nartatez said.
In his message to the PNP, Nicolas Otte, PMI vice president for illicit trade prevention, said “This donation is a way of standing beside you, your units, your officers who are making those personal sacrifices every day.’’
‘Signal of full trust’
“This donation is also, we hope, serves not only as equipment or support, but as a signal of full trust and confidence and an acknowledgement that progress is strongest when institutions work together with transparency, integrity, and mutual respect,” Otte added.
The PMI executive stressed the need for stronger collaboration between government and the private sector to combat illicit trade.
According to the PNP, it conducted one major raid in December 2025 and eight more in January against establishments producing or keeping untaxed tobacco products.
The resulting seizures from the operations translated to an estimated loss of more than P1 billion in excise, customs duties, and value-added tax for the government.
