Manila, March 25 -- 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...