In a significant crackdown on financial crimes, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City apprehended two individuals carrying undeclared foreign currency totaling over PHP24 million. The arrests, which took place on January 22 and 23, 2025, involved a Filipino and a Japanese passenger, respectively, as announced by BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio on January 27, 2025.
The Filipino was caught with USD272,000, equivalent to approximately PHP15,912,272, while the Japanese passenger was found with a mix of currencies including USD43,710, JPY15,040,000, and PHP62,000, totaling around PHP8,292,166.71. These incidents underscore the BOC’s commitment to enforcing stringent cross-border security measures in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to combat financial crimes.
Customs personnel, including members of the Enforcement and Security Service (ESS), Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), and the Customs Flight Supervisor, conducted thorough inspections leading to the discovery of the undeclared cash. The passengers now face legal proceedings for violating multiple sections of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, the Manual of Regulations on Foreign Exchange Transactions, the New Central Bank Act, and the Anti-Money Laundering Act.
Commissioner Rubio emphasized the BOC’s dedication to intercepting unauthorized currency movements and ensuring compliance with the law. These actions are part of a broader strategy to strengthen border security and support the National Anti-Money Laundering, Counter-Terrorism Financing, and Counter-Proliferation Financing Strategy for 2023-2027, aimed at enhancing public safety and combating financial crimes.