BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Greg Gasataya, in coordination with the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) and the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO), led a joint inspection of a warehouse allegedly used to store raw materials for illicit cigarette production in Barangay Alijis on Tuesday afternoon, April 21, 2026.

Also present were operatives from the Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region Regional Intelligence Division, who discovered thousands of boxes of packaging materials and other paraphernalia estimated to be worth millions of pesos.

“We commend the PNP and other agencies for their continued efforts to apprehend illegal activities in our area,” Gasataya said.

The discovery was linked to an earlier operation in Barangay Calumangan, Bago City, where 13 individuals were arrested and equipment used for cigarette production was confiscated.

Upon receiving the report, the mayor and BPLO personnel immediately conducted an inspection of the warehouse, leading to the discovery of stockpiled raw materials.

“On the part of the city, we will provide full support to prevent activities that harm public health and the local business sector. We assure the people of Bacolod that there will be no letup in going after these illegal operations,” Gasataya added.

BCPO Officer-in-Charge Police Colonel Eugene Rebadomia said authorities are still verifying information regarding the possible owner or renter of the warehouse.

“We are currently validating information and gathering data to identify those involved,” Rebadomia said.

He also emphasized the importance of coordination between local government units and law enforcement agencies in combating illegal cigarette production.

“We need to intensify monitoring and collaboration, as operations of this scale cannot be uncovered without strong coordination,” he added. Personnel from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group–Negros Island Region, the Bureau of Customs, and the Philippine Coast Guard also joined the inspection.