Fake money maker is 17th most wanted man

CEBU, Philippines - After he was arrested last April 20 for manufacturing and selling fake money in Talisay City, the police served another warrant of arrest against the suspect who claimed to be a former member of the defunct Philippine Constabulary for kidnap-for-ransom.

The other day, police learned that Felizardo Panesa Pagulayan alias “Boy,” “Roger” and “Rogelio Oblinar,” who claimed to be a former member of the 56th Philippine Constabulary Battalion has a standing warrant of arrest for violation of Kidnap-for-Ransom Article 267 (Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention) of the Revised Penal Code as amended by Republic Act 7659.

Pagulayan was first arrested barely two weeks ago with his cousin Andrew Oblinar, 50, a resident of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur for manufacturing and selling fake money.

Pagulayan claimed he was a former member of the 56th PC Battalion but he was relieved in 1988 for being absent without official leave.

An operative of the PIB-CPPO said that during the suspect’s arrest last April 20, one of the policemen noticed that he resembled the man who was placed under PNP’s list of most wanted criminals. This then prompted them to immediately inform then CPPO Director Carmelo Valmoria.

Valmoria, who is now assigned at Camp Crame in Quezon City, consequently called for Presidential Anti-Crime Emergency Rescue (PACER) who then sent personnel in Cebu to confirm and eventually arrest the suspect.

The other day, Nestor Acebuche of PACER Camp Crame arrived in Cebu together with PIB operatives led by Insp. Wilfredo Pulvera to serve the warrant of arrest issued by Judge Maria Nena Santos of Regional Trial Court branch 171, Valenzuela City dated April 21 against Pagulayan.

Acebuche was along with a witness who positively identified Pagulayan as one of the kidnappers several years ago in Valenzuela City.

The warrant was served at the Talisay City Jail where Pagulayan is presently detained together with his cousin for the April 20 incident.

After checking the records, the police also found out that Pagulayan has no record for being a former PC member.   Pagulayan is 17th in list of Philippine National Police’s most wanted criminal who has a P500,000 bounty on his head.

During the April 20 arrest of Pagulayan and his cousin, the police conducted the entrapment operation at a beach resort in barangay Pooc, Talisay City and used P200,000 as marked money.

The suspects, who will be charged for swindling and counterfeiting, have not yet posted bail when the police served the warrant of arrest against Pagulayan for violation of anti-kidnapping law. — Niña G. Sumacot/WAB (THE FREEMAN)