THE Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 will intensify its intelligence monitoring to stop the spread of fake bills in Cebu and other provinces.
PRO 7 Director Chief Supt. Prudencio Tom Bañas, in an interview with reporters last Wednesday, said he is afraid the fake bills will be used to buy votes in next year’s elections.
“The public must be aware... para maiwasan na maloko (so they cannot be duped),” said Bañas.
Supt. Ricky Delelis of the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO), in a separate interview, urged the public to report to authorities if they receive fake bills.
Seized counterfeit
Last Monday night, police caught Dexter Ledesma and Dante Marticio in Cebu City for allegedly spreading bogus money.
Seized from the suspects, both 42, were 54 fake P200, P500 and P1,000 bills.
Cebu City Intelligence Branch Chief Romeo Santander said the suspects victimized taxi drivers at night when it was difficult to detect the fake bills.
He said that a P200-bill can be bought at P50; P500-bill at P150; and P1,000 at P200.
Last January, CPPO personnel arrested seven persons who were allegedly involved in producing fake bills, land titles and checks in Danao City.
In 2013, a businessman was caught with P2 million in counterfeit P1,000 and US$100 bills.