Japanese arrested with 20 million yen

CEBU, Philippines — A 32-year-old Japanese was taken into custody at the Mactan Cebu International Airport for bringing cash beyond the amount allowed by law.

Yuki Sakaguchi reportedly brought with him Y20 million equivalent to P9.6 million, which violates the Customs Modernizations Act Section 1113 in relation to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Circular No. 922-2016.

Sakaguchi reportedly did not declare the money and the piles of cash were found only through the x-ray at the airport upon his arrival from Tokyo.

Sakaguchi reportedly refused to answer questions.

The Bureau of Customs disclosed the arrest only yesterday.

Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña said a passenger can bring only up to $10,000 or the equivalent in any other currency into and out of the country and other monetary instruments such as traveler checks, drafts, notes, money orders, bonds, as well as deposit certificates.

This also includes commercial papers, trust certificates, custodial receipts, deposit substitute instruments, trading orders, transaction tickets and confirmation of sale or investment.

"If a person wishes to bring more than the equivalent of USD 10,000, a written declaration must be made in the form of the BSP's Foreign Currency and Other FX-Denominated Bearer Monetary Instruments Declaration form," Lapeña said.

"Mr. Sakaguchi failed to comply with this BSP provision," Lapeña said.

Sakaguchi posted bail for his temporary liberty and will be arraigned on September 22 this year.

Lapeña said Sakaguchi’s arrest should be a warning to other guests.

"Those who violate the laws of the Philippines will not go unnoticed. They will have a hard time getting in the country," he said. —  JMO (FREEMAN)