MANILA, Philippines – Nanawagan si Senador Sherwin Gatchalian ng imbestigasyon sa umano’y pagkakasangkot ng mga tauhan ng gobyernong security forces sa tobacco smuggling, na tinawag niyang “alarming.”
Inihain ni Gatchalian ang Senate Resolution No. 250 upang igiit ang pangangailangang “cut the chain of complex criminalities and impose sanctions on the personalities involved in the illicit trade of tobacco products.”
“The illicit trade of tobacco products does not only result in lost revenue from unpaid taxes. More importantly, it undermines the rule of law, jeopardizes public health, and enriches criminal networks,” ayon sa resolusyon.
“It is imperative for the government to determine and address any policy, administrative and procedural gaps in order to combat the ever growing problem on illict trade of tobacco products,” dagdag pa nito.
Ayon kay Gatchalian, chairperson ng Senate Finance Committee, mas nakakabahala ang isyu dahil umano’y sangkot dito ang matataas na opisyal ng unipormadong hanay “who are supposed to maintain national security, uphold the law, and protect the lives and property of the people.”
Hiniling ang imbestigasyon matapos ang pahayag ng Highway Patrol Group (HPG) na ang mga umano’y financier ng grupong sangkot sa tobacco smuggling ay “members of the security forces”.
Kamakailan, inaresto ng HPG ang pitong Chinese nationals dahil sa smuggling ng ?129.06 milyon halaga ng sigarilyo sa Quezon City at Valenzuela. Noong Disyembre naman, nadiskubre ng HPG ang ?2.6 bilyong halaga ng smuggled tobacco products sa Malabon at Batangas City. RNT/MND
