MANILA — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has seized more than 11,000 illicit vape products in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, uncovering over ₱33 million in unpaid taxes during simultaneous enforcement operations conducted on March 12, 2026.

In a statement released Tuesday, the BIR confirmed that 11,309 untaxed vape products were confiscated in coordinated raids across Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, and Laguna. The crackdown was carried out in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The agency explained that the seized products carried estimated tax liabilities of more than ₱33 million, representing lost government revenue from the illegal sale and distribution of vapor products. Officials stressed that the operations were part of the BIR’s intensified campaign against tax evasion in the vape industry, following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen compliance and protect public funds.

“These operations are part of the BIR’s intensified enforcement against the illegal sale and distribution of untaxed vapor products,” the bureau said, adding that violators will face charges under the Tax Code and the Vape Law, which requires proper registration and tax payment for all vapor products sold in the country.

The confiscation highlights the growing concern over the proliferation of illicit vape products in the Philippines, particularly in urban centers where demand has surged. Authorities warned that aside from tax violations, unregulated vape products may also pose health risks to consumers due to the lack of quality control.

The BIR emphasized that it will continue conducting surprise inspections and enforcement operations nationwide to curb the illegal trade. Establishments found selling untaxed vape products risk closure, fines, and criminal prosecution.

This latest seizure underscores the government’s broader effort to tighten regulation of the vape industry, ensuring both consumer safety and tax compliance amid rising popularity of vaping among Filipinos.