Picture reveals a part of the seized undeclared overseas forex. Picture courtesy of BOC
MANILA — As a part of the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) intensified efforts to strengthen border safety, the BOC, by means of the Assortment District III (NAIA), in coordination with the Enforcement and Safety Service (ESS) and the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), apprehended two passengers carrying undeclared overseas forex amounting to PhP24,204,438.71 on January 22 and 23, 2025, at NAIA Terminal 3, Pasay Metropolis.
On January 22, 2025, a Filipino passenger was intercepted with undeclared overseas forex amounting to USD272,000, roughly PhP15,912,272. The next day, January 23, 2025, a Japanese passenger was discovered carrying USD43,710, JPY15,040,000, and PhP62,000, with a complete peso equal of roughly PhP8,292,166.71.
Customs personnel, together with ESS and CIIS operatives and the Customs Flight Supervisor, carried out a bodily examination of the passengers’ baggage of their presence, revealing the undeclared currencies.
Inquest proceedings have been initiated towards each passengers for alleged violations of Sections 117, 1400, 1401, and 1403 of Republic Act No. 10863 (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act), the Guide of Laws on Overseas Alternate Transactions (as amended by BSP Round Nos. 794, 874, 922, and 1146), Republic Act No. 7653 (The New Central Financial institution Act), and Part 4 of Republic Act No. 9160 (Anti-Cash Laundering Act).
By implementing stringent safety measures, the BOC strengthens border safety towards illicit actions whereas supporting President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s marching order to undertake the Nationwide Anti-Cash Laundering, Counter-Terrorism Financing, and Counter-Proliferation Financing Technique (NACS) 2023–2027 to fight monetary crimes and uphold guarantee public security.
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Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio emphasised the Bureau’s steady marketing campaign towards false declarations of currencies, saying, “The Bureau of Customs stays steadfast in intercepting unauthorized cross-border motion of currencies, and we’ll be certain that those that violate the laws are handled in accordance with the legislation,” Rubio mentioned.
Below the management of District Collector Yasmin O. Mapa, BOC-NAIA continues to uphold its mandate of implementing customs laws and safeguarding the nation’s borders.
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