SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The Bureau of Customs–Port of Subic has destroyed cigarette products stored in five 40-foot containers to prevent their unauthorized distribution or reintroduction into the commercial market.
The disposal involved assorted cigarette brands that had been abandoned under customs custody. The products were completely shredded before final disposal, ensuring they could no longer be reused or sold.
The operation was supervised by the Port’s Auction and Cargo Disposal Unit (ACDU), headed by Atty. Danice Muñoz-Bagano, as part of efforts to properly manage abandoned goods in accordance with customs laws and regulations.
The cigarettes were declared abandoned pursuant to Section 1129(b) of RA 10863 (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act), which provides the legal basis for handling abandoned imported goods.
District Collector Atty. Geniefelle P. Lagmay said the disposal underscores the Port’s commitment to enforcing customs procedures and preventing abandoned goods from returning to commercial circulation.
“By completely shredding and disposing of these cigarette products, we are preventing their possible reuse or reintroduction into the market and reinforcing our responsibility to protect legitimate trade and uphold customs regulations,” Lagmay said.
The ACDU continues to oversee the proper disposition of abandoned goods under the Port’s custody, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and established procedures.
The activity also supports Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno’s Integrity, Accountability, and Modernization (IAM) Movement, which promotes transparency, accountability and modernization in customs operations.
The BOC–Port of Subic said it would continue enforcing customs laws, protecting the country’s borders and facilitating legitimate trade while ensuring that abandoned and forfeited goods are properly accounted for and disposed of in accordance with the law.
