Southern Police District chief Brig. Gen. Roderick Mariano warned the public on the proliferation of counterfeit money following the arrest of a dismissed member of the Philippine Army.
Kevin Jhon Soncio, 30, security guard, was arrested on Aug. 11 for using a fake P1,000 bill to buy cigarettes at a “sari-sari” (variety) store in Barangay Fort Bonifacio, Taguig.
The suspect (Photos from Taguig police / SPD)
A minor was manning the sari-sari store when Soncio handed a P1,000 bill as payment for the cigarettes.
When the witness examined the bill, he discovered the money was fake as it had the same serial number as the one he received on July 30.
He immediately sought the assistance of the Barangay Security Force of Barangay Fort Bonifacio that resulted in the arrest of the suspect.
Recovered from the suspect were nine P1,000 counterfeit bills and 10 different identification cards.
During the arrest, the suspect introduced himself as a member of the Philippine Army. However, upon validation, it was found that he was already dismissed from the service and the government identification cards he possessed were also falsified.
He will be charged with illegal possession of illegal possession and use of false treasury or bank notes and other instruments of credit), usurpation of authority and falsification of public documents under the Revised Penal Code.
“We urge the public to immediately report any person to the authorities using such bills in any transaction for appropriate action as the ‘er months’ or the peak shopping season draws near,” said Mariano.