Cigarettes seized due to excise tax liability will now be used as a fuel by Holcim Philippines. The 9496 cases of cigarettes worth PHP142.4m (US$2.8m) will be burnt over the course of 15 days, according to SunStar. The Department of Finance has allowed their use as an alternative fuel by Holcim Philippines Davao.

"I would like emphasize that this is not the last incineration that will happen. All tobacco products found to have been produced without its manufacturer paying the corresponding amount of taxes will be promptly confiscated and destroyed," said DOF Secretary, Carlos Dominguez III, in a statement.

Holcim Philippines later clarified that the cigarettes will not be used for incineration, but for cement co-processing.