Three persons have been arrested along Recto Avenue in Manila and charged before the prosecutors’ office by the agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for allegedly falsifying government documents.
NBI Officer-In-Charge Director Eric B. Distor identified those arrested Jay H. Tinio, Jojo R. Delim, and Abby Gail R. Pascua.
Distor said the three were arrested last Monday, Feb. 1, during an entrapment operation conducted by operatives of the NBI’s Anti Organized and Transnational Crime Division (NBI-AOCTCD).
“The case stemmed from an information received regarding individuals who are allegedly selling fake NBI clearances and other various government documents such as LTO (Land Transportation Office) ID/Student Permits, PSA (Philippine Statistics Authority) Birth Certificate, and TIN (Tax Identification Number) along Recto Avenue, Manila near Interface Computer College Recto Campus,” the NBI said in a statement.
“Sellers charge Php2,500 for rush transactions and Php500 for non-rush transactions,” the NBI also said.
During the entrapment operation, NBI operatives seized from the suspects a fake NBI clearance for which an NBI agent, acting as poseur buyer, paid P2,500.
“Verification with the NBI Information and Communications Technology Services revealed that the NBI Clearance from the Subjects was not duly issued by the NBI,” the NBI pointed out.
Following their arrests, the three persons were presented for inquest proceedings before the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office for charges of falsification of public documents in violation of Article 172 in relation to Article 171 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC).
Article 172 deals on “falsification by private individuals and use of falsified documents,” while Article 171 is on “falsification by public officer, employee or notary or ecclesiastic minister.”
Listed as penalty for violations is prision correctional in its medium and maximum periods (jail term ranging from six months to six years) and a fine of not more than P5,000.