'Anything to declare'? Alleged forex smuggler nabbed at NAIA with P6.6M

The Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group (PNP-AVSEGROUP) reported on Saturday that authorities, in coordination with airport security and officials, intercepted a substantial amount of undeclared foreign currency at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 on Friday, 21 February.

According to PNP-AVSEGROUP, a 56-year-old Filipino traveler bound for Hong Kong was subjected to a routine security check when a Security Screening Officer (SSO) from the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) detected an image resembling cash inside a black trolley bag.

Following standard procedures, the SSO alerted the Baggage Inspector and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) duty examiner. A manual inspection revealed an assortment of foreign currencies, including Japanese yen, euros, and Kuwaiti dinars, amounting to approximately P6.6 million.

The passenger and the confiscated money were escorted to the customs office at the Arrival Area for further examination and inventory. The traveler faces charges for violating Republic Act No. 9280 in connection with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Circular No. 1146 on foreign currency smuggling and will remain in BOC custody pending inquest proceedings.

PNP-AVSEGROUP Director PBGen Christopher M. Abecia reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to airport security, stating, "The PNP-AVSEGROUP, in collaboration with the Bureau of Customs and other enforcement agencies, remains dedicated to ensuring the integrity of our airport security measures and preventing illicit financial activities that may compromise national security."