Fake money allegedly for vote-buying seized, 2 suspects nabbed –PNP

Authorities arrested two Cebu City suspects who had P100,000 fake bills which would allegedly be used for vote-buying, the Philippine National Police said on Friday.

In a statement, the PNP said the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group conducted the two separate operations after receiving reports on the alleged counterfeit money.

On October 25, the BSP and CIDG operatives arrested the suspect identified as Ivan Noval Luardo for possession of 52 pieces of fake P1,000 and 70 pieces of fake P500 bills, which make P88,000.

On October 19, authorities also arrested Joseph Mercado Salas for allegedly making fake peso bills. A total of P24,000-worth of counterfeit bills was seized from him, the PNP said.

The suspects were charged in the City Prosecutor’s Office for the illegal possession and use of false treasury or banknotes and other instruments of credit in relation to Article 166 of the Revised Penal Code.

PNP chief Police General Guillermo Elazar warned the public against the proliferation of fake peso bills and reminded them against vote-buying.

“Pinapaalalahan din natin ang ating mga kababayan na mag-isip-isip sa pagtanggap ng pera mula sa mga kandidatong bibili ng inyong mga boto dahil baka mabudol lang kayo,” he added.

(We are reminding our countrymen to be skeptical about accepting money from candidates in exchange for their votes because you might just get duped.)

Eleazar ordered the CIDG to further investigate the operation of the suspects to identify and arrest their financiers and other cohorts.

“I also instructed the CIDG and other unit commanders to step up intelligence-gathering and operations, in coordination with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, to ensure that those who benefit from these modus will not be given the opportunity to victimize our kababayan,” he said. — DVM, GMA News