BI files deportation cases against nine foreign nationals for undeclared PHP440M

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) plans to file deportation cases against nine foreign nationals arrested at Mactan-Cebu International Airport for carrying undeclared cash amounting to over PHP440 million.

These individuals are also facing potential criminal and anti-money laundering charges, along with immigration proceedings for engaging in activities that pose risks to national security.

The group was apprehended on May 9 when they attempted to board a private plane to Manila at around 10:30 p.m., carrying seven bags instead of the declared three containing PHP441.9 million cash and other currencies.

Seven Chinese nationals, one Indonesian, and one Kazakh were among those arrested, alongside two Filipinos who are being coordinated with by the Philippine National Police (PNP) for further documentation.

BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval stated that deportation proceedings are ongoing, while Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado emphasized that these individuals will be deported after their local cases are resolved and blacklisted from re-entering the Philippines.