DESTRUCTION OF VAPE PRODUCTS NO ‘PR STUNT’
President's visit at BOC 'stamp of approval' on Comm. Rubio's leadership
THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) under Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio has sent the strong signal that its destruction of smuggled vapes and e-cigarette products is not just a publicity stunt but a serious effort to curb smuggling and protect local industries.
In a statement, the BOC said all the e-cigarettes and vape products it has seized in a series of operations last year and which reached the aggregate value of more than P3.26 billion have been sent to two accredited facilities based in Bulacan for destruction.
The BOC held a “symbolic” destruction of the products last April 7 at the Port of Manila, with none other than President Marcos Jr. as witness (Pinoy Expose, April 15, 2025).
The President’s visit together with Finance Secretary Ralph Recto and Trade and Industry Secretary Ma. Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, is also seen as another stamp of approval on the leadership of Comm. Rubio.
On that occasion, over 1 million pieces of seized vape products were destroyed, the BOC noted.
The agency said the destruction is “currently ongoing” at the RCU Waste Collection Services in Marilao and at the Barb Waste Management Services in Bocaue.
The operations are jointly led by the Manila International Container Port (MICP) and the Port of Manila (POM), with oversight from the Auction and Cargo Disposal Division (ACDD), Enforcement and Security Service (ESS), and Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) personnel from each port.
Security support is provided by augmentation teams from the Philippine Army and the Philippine Coast Guard.
“We will not waver in our responsibility to defend the nation against the threats of smuggling. “The sustained condemnation of unauthorized vape products exemplifies our determined pursuit of a safer, regulated marketplace – anchored on the principles of integrity, health protection, and good governance,” said Commissioner Rubio.
Comments are closed.