Naia bust: 3 cash-laden Japanese, Filipino ‘escorts’ held

MANILA, Philippines – Customs officials intercepted three Japanese citizens at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) for failing to declare their cash in yen and US dollars equivalent to P45 million as well as P1.5 million worth of casino chips when they arrived Thursday night.

Also arrested and charged were two Filipinos who allegedly served as their “escorts” upon disembarking from a Japanese Airlines flight (JAL 745) from Narita, around 9:45 p.m. Two members of the airport police allegedly facilitated the entry, but they were not yet charged.

Verne Enciso, chief of the Naia Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (Naia-CIIS) identified the arrested foreigners as Yuzo Suzuki, Koichi Takahashi and Seita Terashima. They were found carrying a total of 88 million yen and $170,000 in their luggage, plus a stack of casino chips.

Enciso said the Japanese nationals were intercepted on a tip from the Japan International Customs Office on the huge amount of money they were carrying.

Upon passing through the customs counter, the suspects were reportedly escorted by Rizalyn Catangay, a member of the Naia Airport Police Department (APD), and two civilians identified as Mary Grace Portuguez and Renoglenn Nolasco.

Portuguez and Nolasco reportedly used airport visitors’ passes that were requested by Edgardo Ong, another member of the airport police.

During interrogation with the help of an interpreter, the Japanese men claimed they “have transactions here in the Philippines involving copper business and business process outsourcing,” according to Enciso.

The customs official added that, based on the Japanese men’s passports, it was not the first time they entered the country.

Enciso said the three Japanese were charged with violating Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Circular No. 507, which requires domestic and foreign travelers to declare foreign currency equivalent to $10,000 when entering or leaving the country, and the Tariff and Customs Code.

Portuguez and Nolasco were also included in the charge sheet, he said.

“With regards to the APD personnel, their participation was mentioned in the report and it will be up to the discretion of the prosecutor’s office if they will be included in the case,” Enciso added. Tina G. Santos