AUTHORITIES have arrested a supposed leader of "Egay" criminal group allegedly involved in manufacturing and distribution of fake Philippine money in a raid in Tablon, Cagayan de Oro City early Thursday, January 23.
Armed with a search warrant issued by a court in Gingoog City, members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Misamis Oriental, Regional Maritime Unit-Northern Mindanao and Police Station 10 trooped to the house of the suspect identified as Edgar Dela Cerna, 44, who is also known by the name Egay and Robert Dela Serna.
Seized from the suspect's possession were 129 pieces fake P1,000 bills, caliber .38 revolver and ammunition, computer set and printer.
CIDG-Northern Mindanao Deputy Chief Lieutenant Colonel Napoleon Carpio said they are also looking into other personalities from other areas as they might belong to the same group.
Carpio said the group sells the fake money to other groups at a cheaper price.
He said the P1,000 is sold at P100 only.
"They sell it in a cheaper price at ginagamit din ng bumibili para manloko (and they use it buy goods)," Carpio said.
"May tinitingnan kaming mga personalities (We are looking into some personalities), probably they belong to the same group, so we are validating the information now," he added.
The CIDG-Northern Mindanao has already coordinated with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas about the manufacturing and distribution of fake money.
Carpio said the suspect is operating a "Pisonet" and printing services in the area.
The suspect is now detained and will face charges for violation of Article 166 (Forging treasury or bank note), Article 168 (illegal possession and use of false treasury or bank note), and Article 176 (Manufacturing and possession of instruments or implements for falsification) of the Revised Penal Code, as well as illegal possession of firearms.