
Six persons were arrested by the Makati City Police for illegally using the identity and credentials of a lawyer to notarize other public documents without her authorization, the Southern Police District (SPD) reported.
The suspects were identified as Romeo, 23; Rosalie, 32; Normelyn, 21; Romalyn, 31; Sonny, 62; and Norma, 38. They were arrested near the Buendia Avenue Post Office.
Based on the police report, the victim, identified as Petchie, reported the incident to the Palanan Police Substation after receiving a tip-off via email and a messaging app that her credentials were being misused by the suspects.
A sting operation was immediately launched by the operatives against the suspects which led to their arrest.
Police recovered multiple pieces of notarial paraphernalia and falsified documents from the suspects.
Among the confiscated pieces of evidence were several documentary stamps, notarial seals, stamp pads, acknowledgment receipts, security declarations, and contracts of lease bearing forged notarial information.
Police said these were used in the unauthorized notarization of documents, misrepresenting Petchie’s credentials.
"The suspects were brought to the Makati City Police Station for processing and will face criminal charges for Falsification of Public Documents by Private Individual and Usurpation of Authority to be filed at the Makati City Prosecutor's Office," the police said.