Tuesday, September 09, 2008 NBI nabs fake Air Force man By Rhodamae M. Hernandez
THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Southeastern Mindanao arrested Sunday afternoon a man who goes around claiming he's a member of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and duped two men of their money in exchange for falsified identification cards and certificates from the PAF.
NBI-Semro spokesperson Arcelito C. Albao identified the suspect as Nicanor Piedad Jr., 35, a resident of Norala, South Cotabato and a transient of Sasa Relocation, Davao City.
He was arrested in an entrapment operation in Sasa.
Albao said the suspect was arrested after Peter Randy Petalcorin and Nilo Rocaura Sr., residents of Rizal Street, Davao City, went to their office and accused Piedad of swindling.
"They went to our office to complain that the suspect solicited money from them in return for a VIP security and protection course and certificate that they have attended the seminar at the Philippine Air Force," Albao told Sun.Star.
Albao said when the two men checked with the PAF here, they were issued a certification denying that Piedad was an organic personnel of their office, and further stating that he was not in any way connected with the PAF.
"When we received the certification, we planned an operation for his arrest. The complainants have not yet completed their payments so, we prepared our marked money and told the complainants to contact the suspect," Albao said in an interview.
In an interview, Piedad admitted his using a fake identification card but insisted he is a member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as a reservist.
"Reservist ko, naka-graduate pud ko ug security training. Kanang ilang ID, dili na gikan didto kay ginapahimo lang nako na sa downtown (I'm a reservist and I graduated from a security training. But I only had the identification card made downtown)," Piedad said.
Recovered from the possession of the suspect were his falsified AFP identification card, certificates, and a military ring, which he wears apparently to make his claim appear more believable.
Piedad is now detained at the NBI-Semro detention cell and will be facing estafa, falsification of public documents, and usurpation of public authority charges.
