11 PASSENGERS WITH OVER P441-M INTERCEPTED AT MACTAN-CEBU AIRPORT

ELEVEN passengers composed of nine foreigners and two Filipinos carrying more than P441 million in cash on Saturday were intercepted by the police at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

The arrest was made just before the campaign period for the May 12 national and local elections officially ended.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco D. Marbil described the interception as a major breakthrough aligned with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive for clean and orderly elections.

Marbil said the money contained in multiple bags were intercepted at the General Aviation Area of Mactan-Cebu International Airport around 11:30 p.m. Saturday.

The PNP said the arrests are legal since the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has a resolution which declares as unlawful the transport of huge amount of money during the election period amid the possibility they may be used in vote-buying.

The nine foreigners include six Chinese nationals, one Malaysian, one Indonesian and one from Kazakhstan as well as their two Filipino companions were on their way to Manila on a private aircraft when held.

PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean S. Fajardo said the 11 passengers failed to present legal documents justifying the transport of the big amount of money.

The suspects are currently under police custody facing charges for violation of Comelec Resolution 11104, particularly Sections 27 and 29, related to the unlawful transport of money during the election period.

The accused also be investigated for possible money laundering in coordination with the Anti-Money Laundering Council and for potential violations of immigration laws in partnership with the Bureau of Immigration.