A WOMAN, who claimed to be the wife of detainee Joavan Fernandez, was arrested for allegedly presenting a fake marriage certificate to enter at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC).
Virgie B. Desuyo, 33, of Barangay Atop-atop, Bantayan, Cebu reportedly wanted to avail herself of the conjugal visit when she presented the marriage certificate to PO1 Mark Henry Vertudazo.
Instead of allowing her to get inside the facility, Vertudazo arrested Desuyo past 11 a.m. for alleged falsification of public document.
Vertudazo said that he found out that that document presented by Desuyo was fake after he compared this with an original marriage certificate.
He flicked drops of water on the two documents, which showed different reactions.
The original document, he said, showed a mark of the water but the color and its composition were barely altered.
The color of the allegedly fake document, on the other hand, changed.
“Because I am a police officer and na found out ko criminal offense ang paggamit ng fake documents,” Vertudazo said when asked for his basis in arresting Desuyo.
Vertudazo said that Desuyo can be charged with falsification of public documents.
Policy
Last Nov. 15, the CPDRC implemented a policy that required visitors who want to avail themselves of the conjugal privilege to present proof of marriage like a marriage certificate.
Desuyo said that she has been visiting Joavan, the son of former Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez, who has been jailed at the CPDRC since 2013 for gun-related charges.
Desuyo, however, said that there are instances when guards would look down on them.
She chose not to comment when asked about her marriage to Joavan and the allegedly fake marriage certificate.
Desuyo, however, said that she and Joavan have been lovers for a long time.
She accused Vertudazo of hurting her.
She said she has a bruise in her forehead after Vertudazo pushed her. She said that the incident was captured by the CPDRC security camera.
Vertudazo, however, said that the bruise she suffered was a result of her resistance.
The allegedly fake document will be submitted to the PNP 7 Crime Laboratory for analysis. Dwight Devora, USJ-R Intern