Capiz cops seize P669,000 in alleged fake money amid BSKE money ban

A total of P669,000 in suspected counterfeit bills were confiscated in an abandoned vehicle in Capiz on Saturday amid the ongoing money ban due to the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Sunday.

Commission on Elections Chairman George Garcia said a team led by Roxas City Police Chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Francisco Paguia, responding to a tip, went to the Teodoro Arcenas Trade Center (TATC) in Barangay VIII on Saturday morning to check on an alleged abandoned vehicle.

Authorities found bundles of one thousand peso bills, suspected to be counterfeit, amounting to P669,000. Also recovered were genuine bills of assorted denominations amounting to P4,170.

Garcia, however, noted that the amount might not be covered by the Comelec’s “Kontra-Bigay” effort as there was no campaign paraphernalia recovered.

The Comelec imposed a money ban from October 28 to October 30.

Based on Comelec Resolution No. 10946, possessing, transporting, and/or carrying cash exceeding P500,000 or its equivalent in any foreign currency, along with campaign paraphernalia and/or corroborating evidence, was prohibited two days before an election and on election day.

Exempted from this provision of the money ban were cashiers or disbursing officers.

Comelec checkpoints nationwide were thus directed to conduct a 24-hour money ban check, in addition to the gun ban check.

Garcia said the seized bills were subject to verification by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

The vehicle was also confiscated for safekeeping and proper disposition. — DVM, GMA Integrated News