BUSINESS and agriculture groups backed the government’s intensified crackdown on illicit tobacco, citing the operations of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) that dismantled illegal cigarette factories and disrupted suspected syndicates. The Federation of Free Farmers (FFF), the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) and the British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (BCCP) said the campaign signals stronger efforts to protect legitimate industries, secure government revenues and safeguard jobs. Their statements came after police operations shut down illegal cigarette factories in Pampanga, where millions of pesos worth of illicit tobacco products were seized. Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said authorities are expanding the crackdown to target organized groups operating in Central Luzon and other provinces nationwide. Law enforcement agents recently uncovered several abandoned cigarette plants in Pampanga believed to be linked to a big syndicate. Seized machinery, raw materials and related equipment were estimated at about P400 million. Remulla said each facility had the capacity to produce up to P160 million worth of cigarettes per day, highlighting the scale of the illegal operations. The FFF said intensified enforcement is crucial to protecting tobacco farmers, noting that illicit trade weakens the legal supply chain and destabilizes livelihoods in agricultural communities. “We commend the DILG and other law enforcement agencies for pursuing a stronger campaign against illicit tobacco operations. Illegal cigarette production and smuggling undermine the legal tobacco supply chain and ultimately hurt thousands of Filipino farmers whose livelihoods depend on a stable and legitimate market,” FFF Chairman Leonardo Montemayor said. The FPI also expressed support, warning that illegal tobacco trade distorts competition and erodes government revenues. FPI Chairman Emeritus Jesus Arranza said illicit tobacco products disadvantage law-abiding companies that comply with taxes, regulations and quality standards, stressing that firm action against illegal factories and smuggling syndicates helps restore fairness in the market. The BCCP said the enforcement drive reinforces investor confidence by promoting a level playing field for businesses operating within the law. BCCP Executive Director and Trustee Chris Nelson said efforts to dismantle illegal manufacturing networks help protect legitimate enterprises, ensure government revenue collection, and support a predictable and transparent business environment. Remulla earlier warned that some illicit tobacco operations may be receiving protection from individuals from government, claiming that smugglers have “backers” embedded in the system. He disclosed that politicians allegedly linked to illegal cigarette activities had attempted to reach out to him while the investigation was ongoing. Authorities have carried out coordinated enforcement actions in several areas, including Pampanga, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Makati and Quezon City. Investigators also found that some of the raided facilities in Pampanga initially operated under legitimate permits before allegedly shifting to unauthorized cigarette manufacturing. Remulla said initial findings suggest the operations began in January 2026, but stopped after authorities seized the first illegal factory in Mexico, Pampanga, on Jan. 29. The DILG estimates that illicit tobacco activities resulted in about P30 billion in lost excise tax revenues in 2025 alone. Authorities said enforcement efforts will intensify, with investigations now focused on identifying financiers, operators and other key figures behind the syndicate. Remulla said the government is determined to dismantle the entire supply chain of illegal tobacco operations and hold those responsible accountable under the law.