CEBU CITY – The National Bureau of Investigation-Central Visayas (NBI-7) arrested a 29-year-old man for allegedly selling falsified government documents here on Monday, August 12.

A 29-year-old man (center) was arrested for allegedly selling falsified government documents in a buy-bust operation conducted by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation-Central Visayas on Colon St., Cebu City on Monday, August 12. (Photo from NBI-7)
The suspect, Romel Gonesto Panonce, was nabbed in a buy-bust operation on Colon St. where he was asked to deliver fake documents to a poseur-customer.
The NBI-7 said the suspect, a resident of Barangay Mambaling, this city, produced and sold fake Tax Identification Number (TIN) cards and Certificates of Live Birth.
Panonce was caught after an individual, Del Rosario Loctor, was nabbed on August 9 on Plaridel St. for allegedly selling falsified TIN cards.
The NBI-7 traced the source of the fake government documents during follow-up investigation to Panonce that led to his arrest.
These bogus papers were ordered through resellers who advertise their services on Facebook.
Prior to the entrapment operation, undercover agents ordered two TIN cards worth P300 from the suspect.
Panonce arrived on a motorcycle to deliver the items and was immediately handcuffed by NBI-7 agents after he handed over fake TIN cards.
The NBI-7 seized from the suspect several falsified TIN cards, driver’s licenses, birth certificates, death certificates, PhilHealth cards, national IDs and unified multi-purpose ID.
Charges of falsification of public documents and computer related forgery have been filed against Panonce, the NBI-7 added.
The NBI-7 reminded the public to transact only with legitimate and authorized personnel or representatives of government agencies.
The agency discouraged the public from acquiring their documents on social media.