79IB supports anti-smuggling operation

Assists BIR in seizure of fake cigarettes in Escalante

The Masaligan Troopers of the 79th Infantry Battalion assisted the Bureau of Internal Revenue in confiscating an estimated total of 12,000 packs of fake and smuggle cigarettes at the Public Market of Escalante City, Negros Occidental on 20 June 2024.

Smuggling cigarettes is against Republic Act No. 10845, otherwise known as the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016–an Act declaring large-scale agri-fisheries commodities and tobacco smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, cartelizing, and other Acts of market abuse as economic sabotage

The raid was initiated by the Bureau of Internal Revenue while the Masaligan Troopers secured the vicinity of Escalante City’s Public Market.

Also present were Atty. Bryl Sobrejuanite, Chief, Legal Division BIR Regional Office Bacolod City and LTC James Latayon, Chief, Provincial Intelligence Unit.* (79IB SMP)