BOC confiscates P3.38 million that two South Koreans tried to conceal in bag at NAIA
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) intercepted two South Korean nationals who arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) with an undeclared amount of 80 million won (P3.38 million) on June 25.
The Philippine STAR reported that the two South Korean nationals and their handcarry bag underwent an x-ray inspection when images of bills were seen on the monitor.
Mark Almase, BOC assistant deputy collector for passenger services, said a customer examiner verbally asked them via a translator app if they had anything to declare. They replied negatively.
The passenger also ticked "NO" to all items in the customs declaration.
But when the BOC checked the scanned items in the general declaration, eight bundles of bills were found in the hand carry bag wrapped in layers of face towel and hidden in folded clothes.
The BOC confiscated the money in violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act's Section 117, which requires declaration/clearance/license in imported or exported goods, and Section 1113, which prohibits fraudulent concealment of goods.
The act is also in relation to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)'s Circular No. 1146 series of 2022, which requires travelers bringing into or taking out the Philippines over P50,000 to get a prior written authorization from the BSP first.
The BOC said it's also in line with Executive Order No. 33 series of 2023, which adopts the 2023 to 2027 National Anti-Money Laundering, Counter-Terrorism Financing, and Counter-Proliferation Financing Strategy.
“We are committed to maintaining the integrity of our financial system and ensuring that our borders are secure from illegal monetary activities," said BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio. (with reports from Rudy Santos)