BIR Reports Major Seizures Following Month-Long Nationwide Enforcement Drive
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) reported major apprehensions and seizures following its month-long nationwide enforcement drive covering fuel, illicit vape products, sabong operations, and Cash Register Machine/Point-of-Sale (CRM/POS) compliance. The consolidated results were presented during the 2026 National Enforcement Command Center Reporting held on September 3, 2026, at Revenue Region No. 8A in Makati City.
For the sabong operations, BIR teams inspected 11 cockpit arenas across seven (7) Revenue Regions in Metro Manila and South Luzon, identifying 297 machines and devices without a Permit to Use and not included in BIR records. Meanwhile, in Revenue Region No. 6 – City of Manila, the Bureau completed the destruction of 240,550 illicit vape products with an estimated tax liability of ₱1.54 billion.
For the Fuel Testing and Marking operations, these were likewise conducted across seven Revenue Regions, covering 421 fuel stations tested nationwide. Of these, 257 stations tested positive for fuel marking, while 164 failed confirmatory testing and were subsequently locked. The operations generated total collections of ₱20.04 million, with 137 establishments identified for corrective marking. Meanwhile, the nationwide CRM/POS Post-Evaluation conducted from August 24 to 28, 2026, covered 7,685 establishments and 14,806 machines. Of these, 842 establishments were found with violations or discrepancies, 385 machines were sealed, and ₱25.11 million in penalties were assessed, of which ₱2.60 million had already been collected.
Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza emphasized enforcement's role as a deterrent. According to him, it shows deliberate violators that there are consequences, encourages those who have been remiss to return to compliance, and protects the tax base for taxpayers who comply.
Commissioner Mendoza also said that enforcement must always be "firm and fair," carried out professionally and with respect for taxpayers' rights. The BIR will continue follow-up inspections and seizure/forfeiture proceedings where applicable, and will file appropriate cases when warranted by the facts and the law.
Joining Commissioner Mendoza in the reporting were the Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners, officials of the Large Taxpayers Service, Regional Directors, and Revenue District Officers nationwide.
Source: Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) National Enforcement Command Center Reporting, September 3, 2026 / National PIO/PCO Press Release.