Suspected syndicates smuggled $370M into Philippines with AFP, PNP escorts —BOC

Suspected syndicates brought in an estimated $370 million into the Philippines last year with the help of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP) and airport police escorts, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) has revealed.

In a statement on Monday, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said he has ordered an investigation into the issue after Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero submitted a report to him detailing the activities of the suspected syndicates.

In his report dated January 29, Guerrero said the “Rodriguez” and the “Chinese” groups brought in $200.24 and $167.97 million, respectively, into the country last year through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Guerrero said the Rodriguez group named Excellent Forex Inc. as the recipient of the money that entered the country from July 17, 2019 to January this year.

The Chinese group smuggled its stash from December 17, 2019 to January 2020, the Customs chief added.

The BOC also discovered that the couriers were paid between P12,000 and P50,000 per flight and flew two to three times a week with one to two pieces of luggage.

Guerrero noted that the suspected syndicates managed to bring in the money undetected by authorities because members of the AFP, PNP, and the Manila International Airport Authority’s police department escorted them.

“Alarmed by the foregoing circumstances, considering the apparent intent of the said groups to bypass the country’s banking system and its prevailing regulations, this Bureau coordinated with and brought the matter to the attention of the Anti-Money Laundering Council,” he said.

In his report, the Customs head also urged the creation of an inter-agency body through a presidential directive to monitor the inflow of foreign currencies into the country.

Guerrero also said that the country’s laws on undeclared and underdeclared foreign currencies are “not categorical, and sanctions provided are not deterrent enough.”

“Thus, it is not farfetched that the ease of bringing foreign currency in our territory can be taken advantage of by lawless elements such as terrorists,” he explained.

The BOC added that it foiled attempts by a Korean and a Filipino to undeclare and underdeclare the amount of foreign currency that they brought into the Philippines, amounting to HK$3.83 million and $501,600 respectively. —Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News