Six individuals, including a student and notarial service staff, were arrested for falsifying public documents and usurpation of authority during an entrapment operation in Barangay San Antonio, Makati City, on Monday, March 24.
The Makati City Police Station reported that the suspects -- four females and two males -- are residents of Manila, Taguig, and Cavite. Their identities have not been disclosed.
The operation was launched after a 38-year-old lawyer filed a complaint upon discovering that her name, signature, and notarial details were being used to falsify documents.
Authorities said the suspects posed as notaries public and performed notarial services without the victim’s authorization near the Makati Post Office.
During the operation, police officers posed as clients and arranged for the notarization of a document. They were arrested when the victim confirmed that it was indeed her signature and notarial details being used without her consent.
Confiscated from the suspects were notarial paraphernalia, including documentary stamps, a dater, invoices and acknowledgment receipts, TIN stamps, seals, stamp pads, security declarations, and leasing contract documents.
The suspects are currently detained at the custodial facility of Makati CPS and are facing charges for violating Article 172 (falsification of public documents by a private individual) and Article 177 (usurpation of authority) of the Revised Penal Code. (Vincent Brian Gutierrez)