CEBU DISTRICT COLLECTOR ORDERED REPLACED

Customs, NBI chiefs conduct ocular inspection of smuggled cigarettes

On Jul 11, 2026

PHLIPPINE Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag. inspecting some of the smuggled cigarettes inside the Gothong Shipping wharf in Mandaue City last July 11. Investigators believed the yet to be identified smugglers first landed the contraband at the said wharf before distribution to other parts of the country, including Luzon. The BOC and the NBI has thus far recovered more than ₱3.54 billion worth of smuggled cigarettes believed to have originated in Cebu during the term of District Collector Alexandra Lumontad (photo credit: BOC-PIAD).

TWO successful anti-smuggling operations targeting smuggled cigarettes in the aggregate amount of over ₱1.8 billion in the last several weeks apparently failed to impress higher authorities as Department of Finance Secretary Frederick Go approved the removal of Port of Cebu District Collector Alexandra Lumontad and her transfer to a desk job at the Internal Administration Group (IAG) at the Customs Main Office in Manila.

In a Customs Personnel Order (CPO) dated June 30 approved by Secretary Go, a copy of which was belatedly furnished to Pinoy Exposé, Lumontad has been transferred as the new Acting Director of the Financial Management Office, IAG.

Lumontad is also the subject of several adverse social media commentaries posted by veteran newsman Ramon ‘Mon’ Tulfo.

Lumontad was replaced by Atty. Zsae Carrie De Guzman, the erstwhile Acting Deputy Collector for Operations at the Port of Clark effective on July 7.

On the other hand, Port of Clark Supervising Customs Operations Officer Joseph Galang was promoted to replace De Guzman.

Port of Clark Deputy Collector Zsae Carrie De Guzman (left) receiving the Port of Cebu flag from outgoing District Collector Alexandra Luimontad during the formal turnover ceremony last July 7.

Lumontad replaces Director Blesilda Balagtas who has been moved to head the Trade Information and Risk Analysis Office (TIRAO) under the Post Clearance Audit Group (PCAG).

Also removed from her post is Port of Zamboanga District Collector Elenita A. Abaño, who has consistently failed to meet the port’s assigned collection targets.

Abaño was placed on ‘floating’ status at the Office of the Commissioner after her replacement by Atty. Manuel Zurbito, the erstwhile district collector at the Port of Cagayan de Oro.

Zurbito would be replaced by Director Armando Saulong, the erstwhile head of TIRAO. This would be the second time this year that Saulong is being given the opportunity to head a major collection district after briefly serving as Port of Subic district collector last March 30 (Pinoy Exposé, April 5, 2026).

‘Scene of the crime’ visit

It can be recalled that in the last week of June and early this month, two joint anti-smuggling operations by the BOC, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and other partner agencies resulted to confiscation of more than ₱1.7 billion pesos worth of smuggled cigarettes within the jurisdiction of the Port of Cebu under Lumontad.

The rows of container vans of smuggled cigarettes found by the BOC and the NBI at the Gothong Shipping wharf in Mandaue City valued at more than ₱980 million (photo: BOC-PIAD).

The first operation last June 25 resulted to the seizure of 11 container vans of smuggled cigarettes worth ₱860 million while the second operation last July 2, added 25 more container vans of smuggled cigarettes seized by the government valued at ₱980 million for the aggregate amount of more than ₱1.84 billion.

The amount and volume of the smuggled cigarettes found in Cebu are separate from the value and volume the BOC and its partner agencies seized at a private wharf in Manila last June 22 loaded in 24 container vans and valued at ₱1.7 billion (related story here).

The first operation in Manila resulted to the discovery that the smuggled cigarettes, now totaling 59 container vans, first landed at the Port of Cebu and stored at private wharves in the province.

On July 11, Commissioner Nepomuceno, NBI Director Melvin Matibag, new Cebu District Collector Zsae De Guzman and other officials, conducted an ocular inspection of the Gothong Shipping wharf in Mandaue City where the smuggled cigarettes are believed to have been originally unloaded.

The officials took the opportunity to inspect the 25 container vans of smuggled cigarettes confiscated last July 2.

At the subsequent press conference, Commissioner Nepomuceno reaffirmed the BOC’s declaration of an all-out war against smuggling and illicit trade, emphasizing that enforcement efforts will extend beyond the seizure of contraband to the aggressive prosecution of the individuals and businesses responsible.

“Hindi kami maaareglo when it comes to the filing of cases against people and businesses involved in smuggling and illicit trade,” Commissioner Nepomuceno declared.

“Hindi titigil ang BOC sa pagkumpiska ng mga iligal na kargamento. Hahabulin natin ang buong supply chain at sisiguruhing mapanagot ang lahat ng sangkot sa ilalim ng buong puwersa ng batas.”

Director Matibag, for his part. reaffirmed the NBI’s commitment to working closely with the BOC to investigate and prosecute organized smuggling operations.

Matibag also announced that a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) involving the BOC, NBI, and other partner law enforcement agencies is nearing completion to strengthen intelligence-sharing, joint operations, and coordinated case build-up.

Both officials stressed that their campaign against smuggling is in support of President Marcos Junior’s ‘whole-of-government’ approach against smuggling and economic sabotage.