Manila, April 10 -- The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is intensifying enforcement operations against both emerging and long-standing sources of tax evasion, particularly in the vape and tobacco industries.

In a news release on Thursday, BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said this is part of the Marcos administration's whole-of-government effort to address not just illicit trade and revenue loss, but also the public health dangers posed by unregulated and often toxic products that enter the market without inspection or permits.

He said the BIR has been carrying out sustained enforcement operations against illicit trade, including the destruction of counterfeit and untaxed cigarettes and the filing of criminal complaints against viola...