Photo Courtesy of Manila Police District/MANILA BULLETIN
Two people were arrested on Friday, June 23, for allegedly selling fake Persons With Disability (PWD) IDs in Tondo, Manila. Police identified the suspects as Ralph Lawrence Doblada, 21, resident of Barangay 246, Tondo, and Lizel Lopez, 46, resident of Barangay 239, Tondo. The Manila Police District (MPD) said an entrapment operation was conducted after it received information from the Manila- Department of Social Welfare (DSW) about the rampant proliferation of fake PWD IDs in Tondo. According to Manila DSW, the suspects created a fake Facebook account to sell counterfeit PWD IDs worth P1,500 each. MPD immediately assigned personnel to act as poseur-buyers and transact with the suspect. Upon receiving the PWD ID bought from the suspect, DSW confirmed that the ID was fake, which led to the arrest of the suspects. MPD operatives led by Special Mayor's Reaction Team (SMART) confiscated the equipment used in manufacturing the fake IDs, including the printer, laptop, ID cutter, laminator, flash drives, and several PWD IDs. The suspects will face charges for violations of Article 172 (falsification by private individuals and use of falsified documents) and Article 176 (manufacturing and possession of instruments or implements for falsification).