A Japanese tourist arrested Sunday near the Philippine city of Cebu for allegedly carrying methamphetamine hydrochloride, or "shabu," has been formally charged with possession of an illegal drug, the Cebu prosecutor's office said Tuesday.
Kenji Kuwana, 36, of Nerima Ward in Tokyo, was arrested while trying to board a flight to Narita at Cebu Mactan International Airport, investigators said. Police allegedly found a sachet containing 0.38 gram of shabu and a pipe for smoking the drug in the left pocket of his pants.
Prosecutor Celso Espinosa recommended bail of 60,000 pesos, which had not been paid as of Tuesday, his office said.
Kuwana faces a maximum jail term of six years. Possession of 200 grams or more of shabu is punishable by death under Philippine law.