Nine foreigners were arrested earlier this month at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport for carrying over P441 million in cash.
In a Philippine Star report, these foreigners–seven Chinese, one Indonesian, and one Kazakhstani–will be deported back to their countries as they are considered “undesirable aliens”, said the Bureau of Immigration.
Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said that immigration law prohibits foreigners from “engaging in activities that pose risks to national security”. He added that these individuals will be deported and blacklisted from re-entering the Philippines.
The Philippine Immigration is also cooperating with the Philippine National Police to check their criminal records.
The foreign nationals, including 2 Filipino companions, were caught on the evening of May 9 at the security screening area. Seized in their trolley bags were P441,922,542, as well as $168,730 and 1,000 Hong Kong dollars.
Philippine National Police Spokesperson Jean Fajardo reported that the group landed in Cebu at 9 AM that day and headed to a casino. They came back to the airport later that day and set to ride a private plane bound for Manila.
The Philippine News Agency adds that none in the group could provide documentation for their attempt to transport undeclared cash.
In the group, a certain Wu Song, of Chinese passport, reportedly has a red notice from the International Criminal Police Organization for fraud. Li Fei and Chen Hao, both have previous arrest warrants for different crimes.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines said in a statement dated May 11 that the incident “could be linked to ‘interference’ during the midterm elections, raising concerns like vote-buying and money laundering.