Since the administration’s pivot to China, Chinese nationals have arrived in waves in the country. While the majority of them are law-abiding citizens, it cannot be denied that some Chinese came with criminal intent such as kidnapping their own countrymen, engaging in human smuggling, maintaining prostitution dens, or manufacturing fake cigarettes. Last January, P1 billion worth of fake cigarettes and machines were seized by the government in a barangay in Nueva Ecija (“Nueva Ecija warehouse making fake cigarettes raided, 29 Chinese workers nabbed,” News, 1/18/20). Warehouses in Bulacan, Pampanga, Caloocan City, Cagayan de Oro, etc. have also been raided. It is high time that the national government exerted more efforts to stop this illicit trade. These fake cigarettes not only put at risk the health of Filipinos, but also deprive the government of much-needed funds while displacing local workers.
RAFFY REY HIPOLITO,
raffy_hipolito@yahoo.com