BIR shuts down 2 cigarette manufacturers in Subic

The Bureau of Internal Revenue has ordered the closure of two cigarette manufacturers in Subic, Zambales for being allegedly unregistered, according to a "24 Oras" report.

Upon inspection, the operatives found that machines used by the firms were also not registered.  The brand of cigarette manufactured was also not listed with the BIR.

“Whether locally o imported yan o i-export nila, kailangan i-rehistro nila ang mga produktong ito sa aming ahensya,” Romeo Lumagui Jr., BIR Commissioner, said.

“May mga manufacturers na pinapalabas nila na for export pero sa totoo di nila ine-export yan binabalik lang din dito sa bansa at dito ibinebenta locally para makatakas sa pagbayad ng excise tax,” Lumagui added.

BIR estimates the country is losing around P1 billion in potential revenues due to illegal cigarette manufacturers.

The bureau did not name the two companies as complaints against them are readied.

"Violation ng tax code malinaw' yan, yung section 264, violation sa excisable articles provision ng ating tax code," Lumagui said.

The warehouse staff did not grant an interview.—Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA News