Man arrested for using fake P1000 bill in Cebu

Police arrested in Cebu City Thursday night a man who was caught trying to pay for goods with a counterfeit P1,000 bill.

Vincent Saba used the bill to pay for two packs of cigarettes when the storeowner's son noted the bill was fake, GMA Cebu's Jun Veliganio reported.

A search on Saba yielded more fake bills, including a P500 and a P100.

"Pagtingin niya sa pera, doon na ako nagduda. Agad niyang sinabi na dalawang kaha ng sigarilyo na lang daw ang bibilhin niya, parang nanlilito ba, kaya nagduda na ako," said Jonathan Romarez, son of the storeowner.

The suspect admitted he had been arrested for a similar act before, but said he was ordered to do so by a friend.

He also admitted there are many like him who plan to spread the fake bills during the coming holiday season.

When asked by a GMA News team if he knew the money was fake, he said, "Opo sir."

Following the arrest, police reminded traders to be wary of fake bills, even as they investigate a possible syndicate behind the counterfeit money. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News