The Bureau of Customs (BOC) apprehended two Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) passengers carrying undeclared foreign currency totaling over P24 million in two consecutive days.
On Jan. 22, a Filipino passenger was intercepted at NAIA Terminal 3 with undeclared foreign currency amounting to $272,000, approximately P15.9 million. On the following day, Jan. 23, a Japanese passenger was found carrying $43,710, JPY15,040,000, and P62,000, with a total peso equivalent of approximately P8.29 million.
The BOC carried out the two consecutive interception of undeclared foreign currencies through a coordination with the Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) and the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS).
According to the Customs, these operations are part of the agency’s “efforts to strengthen border protection.”
Reports said that BOC personnel, including ESS and CIIS operatives and the Customs Flight Supervisor, “conducted a physical examination of the passengers’ baggage in their presence, revealing the undeclared currencies.”
Authorities have begun inquest proceedings against the two passengers for alleged violations of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (RA 10863), regulations on foreign exchange transactions, the New Central Bank Act (RA 7653), and the Anti-Money Laundering Act (RA 9160).
“By implementing stringent security measures, the BOC strengthens border protection against illicit activities,” the agency said in a Jan. 27 statement.
It added that this also supports the administration’s order to adopt the National Anti-Money Laundering, Counter-Terrorism Financing, and Counter-Proliferation Financing Strategy (NACS) 2023–2027 “to combat financial crimes and uphold ensure public safety.”
“The Bureau of Customs remains steadfast in intercepting unauthorized cross-border movement of currencies, and we will ensure that those who violate the regulations are dealt with in accordance with the law,” said Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio, stressing further the Bureau’s campaign against false declarations of currencies.
The agency assured that BOC and NAIA continue to “uphold its mandate of enforcing customs regulations and safeguarding the country’s borders.”
For trade, Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Ralph G. Recto recently announced the imminent implementation of a new digital trade protection aimed at combatting smuggling and, at the same time, increasing the government’s revenue.
“This will certainly go a long way in putting an end to smuggling, misdeclaration, and undervaluation. This will not only ensure that our consumers are protected from counterfeit and substandard goods, but also help us collect much-needed revenues for our people,” Recto said.
Latest data from the BOC revealed that a total of 1,572 smuggled goods, worth P84.36 billion, were seized last year.