A SCREENING personnel recently discovered P250,000 undeclared cash from an outbound passenger at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) reported on Tuesday, February 11.
The cash belonged to an American citizen, who was unaware of the rule that travelers are required to declare foreign currency exceeding USD10,000 and Philippine peso exceeding 50,000.
It was discovered when an opaque image was noticed on the X-ray monitor during screening at NAIA Terminal 1 in Parañaque City on February 9.
This prompted the screening personnel to do a manual inspection, where bundles of cash were discovered.
Kim Marquez of the OTS clarified that unclear X-ray images prompt screeners to conduct manual inspection.
“That is when incidental discovery of items like cash happens and these are endorsed to concerned agencies,” Marquez told the Philippine News Agency.
The incident was coordinated with the Bureau of Customs (BOC), which, according to the OTS, invited the passenger to its office for inquiry.
Marquez said the passenger was able to comply with the BOC requirements and secured an authorization from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
The passenger was eventually allowed to bring out the cash, she said.
The OTS reminded passengers to follow due processes and to declare items, such as large amounts of money.
“Bringing a huge amount of cash requires the necessary approval from government agencies such as the Bureau of Customs and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Be sure to declare those to avoid any inconvenience,” OTS Administrator Crizaldo Nieves was quoted in the agency’s social media post. (PNA)
