'Fake CAAP licenses for sale': Suspect nabbed by NBI

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested an individual for distributing fake licenses allegedly issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), the bureau said Friday.

Agent-in-charge Atty. Czar Eric Niqui said the licenses and other certificates were being sold for around P15,000.

“Ito nga ay isang malaking concern sa ating CAAP authorities dahil ‘yung epekto nito, ‘yung detrimental effect nito sa aviation industry,” he said.

(This is a major concern for our CAAP authorities because of its possible impact, which can have a detrimental effect on the aviation industry.)

According to the NBI, the individual was arrested on June 8 after handing over the fake documents to a poser-customer.

Niqui, however, said there are other individuals who are also involved in the scheme.

“Iba ‘yung tiga gawa, iba ‘yung tiga transact. So, medyo may mga security precautions din na ginagawa itong ating mga subjects. Kaya medyo hindi ito mababaw na transaksyon lamang, maaaring isang sindikato,” he said.

(The ones who do the work are different from the ones who handle the transactions. So, our subjects are also taking some security precautions. That’s why this isn’t just a shallow transaction, it could be a syndicate.)

For its part, CAAP Intelligence and Investigation Division chief General Dionisio Robles said that it was not aware if the individual was in cahoots with any employee.

“We do not know this guy. Nagpatulong po kami sa NBI to assist us, baka may possibility po na itong tao na ito may connection to somebody from CAAP,” Robles said.

(We do not know this guy. We asked the NBI for assistance in case there’s a possibility that this person has a connection to somebody from CAAP.)
?Robles, meanwhile, believes this is only an isolated incident.

For his part, Lavin said that aircraft mechanics and pilots undergo stricter regulation.

“Kahit meron ka nitong documents, kung peke ito, this will be subjected to stricter regulation and examination by the CAAP. Hindi naman porket meron ka nito ay agad-agad ma-employ ka as airline or aircraft mechanic or pilot,” he said.

(Even if you have these documents, if they are fake, this will be subjected to stricter regulation and examination by the CAAP. Just because you have them doesn’t mean you can immediately be employed as an airline or aircraft mechanic or pilot.)

The individual underwent inquest for falsification and estafa before Manila prosecutors, according to the NBI. —VAL, GMA Integrated News