THE DEPARTMENT of Justice (DOJ) said Tuesday it has filed a PHP5.7 billion tax evasion case against five Chinese nationals implicated in the trade of illicit cigarettes in various locations in Valenzuela and Bulacan.
In a statement, the DOJ said the cases for violation of Section 258 (Unlawful Pursuit of Business) in relation to Section 236, and Section 263 (Unlawful Possession of Articles subject to Excise Tax without Payment of the Tax) of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997 were filed before the Court of Tax Appeals on March 14.
“In light of this development, warrants of arrest against the five accused Chinese nationals are expected to be issued in the soonest possible time,” the DOJ said.
The case stemmed from a joint operation of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) against illicit cigarettes in six locations in Valenzuela and Bulacan from Nov. 6 to 7 last year.
It involved the seizure of approximately 21,000 master cases of illicit cigarettes with a tax liability amounting to PHP5,764,761,450.
BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said the case against the five Chinese nationals “is part of our largest raid against illicit cigarettes.”
Lumagui said the BIR’s latest victory is a testament to its commitment to pursue every criminal involved in the illicit cigarette trade and serves as a warning to all those involved.
“We will raid your warehouses. We will destroy all illicit cigarettes and machines. We will file cases against you. You will be arrested," he said.
Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the case proves that “crimes undermining our economy can be defeated as long as the responsible government agencies join their resources and intensify their efforts.” (Benjamin Pulta)
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