MANILA — The Bureau of Customs - Port of Clark has called out San Rafael, Bulacan Mayor Mark Cholo Violago, saying he tried to bring in P400,000 in undeclared cash from Bangkok, Thailand last week and threatened its personnel when flagged.

In a statement, the BOC port office said Violago had also tried to bring in undeclared regulated agricultural products and made false statements in his electronic Customs Baggage Declaration form in his Sept.10 arrival at Clark International Airport.

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"The failure to declare currencies is a direct violation of cross-border currency declaration requirements," BOC-Clark said.

Under customs rules, bringing in or taking out more than P50,000 in local currency requires written authorization from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

The customs bureau can confiscate unauthorized amounts beyond the P50,000 limit. 

"Despite their position as a public servant, this individual chose to disregard the very law they are duty-bound to uphold, demonstrating a serious breach of public trust and a blatant disregard for the rule of law," BOC-Clark said.

Mayor accuses BOC of wanting to get his money

According to video and transcripts released by BOC-Clark, Violago accused customs personnel of trying to take his money and only backing down when they found out he is a town mayor.

"Kailangan natin ng media dito kasi tinatakot ako kung hindi ako nagpakilalang mayor eh kukuhanin yung pera … hindi naman ako tanga. Nung malamang mayor ako parang nagulat yata yung tao eh," he said, as he also accused customs personnel of "diskarte", or scheming to get bribes.

(We need media here because they are threatening to take my money. If I had not introduced myself as a mayor, they would have taken it. I'm not stupid. When they found out I was a mayor, they were surprised)

He added: "Habambuhay mong pagsisihan yang kagaguhang ginawa mo sa akin. Makikilala mo rin ako."

(You will regret what you did for the rest of your life. You will learn who I am.)

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Money spotted through x-ray scan

The customs examiner took the video to document the seizure of the money and said that Violago "was intercepted for carrying undeclared money in excess of the allowable amount of P50,000."

The examiner also noted that she was inspecting hand-carry bags that had been "profiled by [X-Ray Inspection Project]."

She explained in the same recording that it was not her decision to inspect Violago's belongings. 

"Mi-nark po kayo ng x-ray, sir. Minark po ng x-ray," she said.

(You were marked by the x-ray machine)

BOC-Clark said in its statement that "despite these provocations, the BOC officers remained calm and professional throughout the encounter," adding the case is part of the government's efforts against money laundering and terrorist financing.

ABS-CBN News has reached out to Violago for comment but he has yet to send his statement as of this post.