With the full-alert status in effect nine days before the polls, the Philippine National Police (PNP) had intensified its campaign to ensure a secure, accurate, free, and fair 2025 National and Local Elections (NLE) across the country. PNP Chief, Police General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil took the lead by strengthening personnel, and logistical support particularly mobility assets, including the activation of live feed monitoring for the force deployment, the establishment of the National Media Action Center (MAC), the launch of the ‘Kontra Bigay’ campaign against vote buying and vote selling, and a series of visits to regional police offices.
Just before the campaign period officially ended for the 2025 NLE, an operation was conducted between 11:30 PM on May 9 and 4:14 AM on May 10 at the General Aviation Area of Mactan-Cebu International Airport, which led to the seizure of Php441 Million in cash loaded onto seven trolleys.
The individuals found in possession of the cash included nine foreign nationals—six Chinese, one Malaysian, one Indonesian, and one from Kazakhstan, along with two Filipinos. All were scheduled to depart for Manila aboard a private aircraft.The X-ray operator alerted the on-duty PNP personnel after detecting an image resembling a large volume of cash. Said individuals failed to present legal documents to justify the transport of such a substantial amount of money.
Further investigation revealed that they had arrived at the General Aviation Area in a white Toyota Super Grandia with plate number NGL 5798 and had attempted to bypass established General Aviation (GenAv) security protocols.
The seizure has come to the attention of PGen Marbil, saying: “As the 2025 elections approach, PNP is fully committed to protecting the integrity of the democratic process. This major cash seizure sends a strong message [that] we will take action against anyone trying to manipulate the vote through illegal means. Our job is to ensure peace, order, and fairness during the elections—and we won’t back down.”
Background checks also revealed that some of the suspects had fake driver’s licenses, and one was under an active INTERPOL notice with pending arrest warrants.
Around 3:00 AM, the group presented a casino certificate claiming the money was from winnings at the White Horse Junket. Authorities questioned its legitimacy, as the junket had been linked to the Anson Que kidnapping case and was reportedly shut down after receiving ransom payments.
As of this writing, the suspects are currently in police custody, with PNP preparing charges for violating COMELEC Resolution No. 11104, specifically Sections 27 and 29, prohibiting the unlawful transport of money during the election period. They will also face investigations for possible money laundering, in coordination with the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), and potential immigration violations in partnership with the Bureau of Immigration (BI).
While the Philippine National Police (PNP) declared the 2025 National and Local Elections (NLE) as “Generally Peaceful,” it remains focused on the upcoming phases of the electoral process and stands firm in its commitment to being a capable, reliable, and trusted police force—a modern police institution for a modern Filipino society.
