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Cebu News

11 nabbed for ‘smuggling’ over P441M cash at MCIA

Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon - The Freeman
11 nabbed for ‘smuggling’ over P441M cash at MCIA
Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LCPO) spokesperson Lt. Col. Christian Torres confirmed the arrest of Chinese and Malaysian nationals along with two Filipino accomplices at the airport's general aviation area.
Philstar.com / Jovannie Lambayan

CEBU, Philippines — Authorities arrested 11 individuals—including nine foreigners and two Filipinos—on Friday evening for allegedly attempting to smuggle out close to half a billion pesos through the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).

Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LCPO) spokesperson Lt. Col. Christian Torres confirmed the arrest of Chinese and Malaysian nationals along with two Filipino accomplices at the airport's general aviation area. The suspects were allegedly carrying more than ?441 million in cash, concealed in seven trolleys.

Torres said the amount was based on an initial inventory but added that the total figure could still increase.

“Pero karon lang mura og nadungagan og mga P400,000 naa ni sa mga bag nila. Kay kani nga P441 million mao man ni ang naa sa ilang trolley,” Torres stated.

The large amount of cash was discovered during screening at the general aviation area of the airport in Lapu-Lapu City as the individuals were preparing to board a private plane bound for Manila.

According to Torres, the suspects claimed during the initial investigation that the money came from casino winnings after several days of gambling at a casino in Cebu City.  Torres dismissed speculations that the funds were meant for vote buying ahead of the Monday elections.

“Mura layo ra ang posibilidad nga gamiton ni sa vote buying kay kasagaran ani nila mga foreigners man,” he explained.

He added that investigators are still tracking the suspects’ possible connecting flights to determine their final destination.

“Padung sila sa Manila from Cebu and I heard they are bound for China,” said Torres.

Authorities are also probing whether the money may be linked to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO).

He said the suspects underwent inquest proceedings on Friday night and are temporarily detained at the LCPO detention facility.

Torres said the 11 suspects are facing charges for violating Commission on Elections Resolution 11104, which includes provisions that prohibit possession of large sums of money due to the risk of money laundering. — (FREEMAN)

ARRESTED

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