Bureau of Customs-Ninoy Aquino International Airport (BOC-NAIA) District Collector Atty. Yasmin Mapa announced the seizure of undeclared foreign currencies from a departing passenger at NAIA Terminal 1 on February 21, 2025, comprising of 3,950,000 Japanese Yen (JPY), 20,000 Euro (EUR) and 8,500 Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD).
According to Mapa, alert Customs personnel flagged suspicious items during the routine x-ray screening of a hand-carried baggage belonging to a Filipino national departing for Hong Kong.
A physical examination of the luggage revealed bundles of foreign currencies concealed inside which the passenger failed to declare.
The effort, she said, aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to implement the National Anti-Money Laundering, Counter-Terrorism Financing and Counter-Proliferation Financing Strategy (NACS) 2023–2027, underscoring the government’s dedication to preserving financial integrity and national security.
BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio emphasized the Bureau’s unwavering stance on cross-border currency regulations, stating: “This apprehension further proves the crucial role of the Bureau of Customs in the recent exit of the Philippines in the Financial Action Task Force’s Grey List by continuously demonstrating the cross border declaration and security measures in place to prevent cash smuggling, contributing to the protection of the nation’s economic interest.”
It was learned from Dr. Mark John Almase, Customs deputy collector for passenger services at the NAIA, that in 2024, BOC-NAIA made 158 interceptions of undeclared or falsely declared currencies or almost a 2,000% increase from the apprehensions in 2023.
Almase added that from January 2025 to date, the BOC-NAIA has recorded 28 apprehensions involving currencies, in its steadfast efforts to protect the borders against illicit monetary flows.
BOC-NAIA, under the leadership of District Collector Yasmin Mapa, continues on its mandate to uphold customs laws and international financial regulations while securing the nation’s borders against financial crimes, he said.
Inquest proceedings have been initiated against the passenger for violations of Sections 117, 1400, 1401, and 1403 of Republic Act No. 10863 (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act), the Manual of Regulations on Foreign Exchange Transactions (as amended by BSP Circular Nos. 794, 874, 922 and 1146), Republic Act No. 7653 (The New Central Bank Act), and Section 4 of Republic Act No. 9160 (Anti-Money Laundering Act).
