CEBU CITY – A 26-year-old passenger bound for Hong Kong was apprehended after he was caught bringing bundles of cash worth more than P1 million that he failed to declare before boarding a flight at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).
The undeclared Philippine currency was found in the passenger’s baggage during a routine inspection at MCIA Terminal 2 on Monday, July 14.
The passenger is from Barangay Basak, Cebu City.
He was accosted at the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) checkpoint when X-ray operators showed suspicious images that resembled bundles of cash.
Personnel from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group (AVSEGROUP) were immediately called in.
A joint verification led to the discovery of cash worth P1,149,000, exceeding the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ limit of P500,000 for outbound transport of local currency.
The passenger claimed not knowing the regulation.
MCIA, located in Lapu-Lapu City, is the Philippines’ second busiest airport and serves as the main international gateway for the Central and Southern Philippines, with Terminal 2 handling most international departures and arrivals.
Police Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy, AVSEGROUP Director, said the interception of the undeclared “reflects the strong coordination and alertness of our security forces.”
“The AVSEGROUP remains committed to ensuring safe and secure airport operations at all times,” Capoy said.