Meet the "Fakers"

CEBU, Philippines - Two men were arrested in a raid conducted by elements of the Cebu City Intelligence Branch yesterday afternoon for allegedly falsifying various documents.

Joseph Salas, 25, of Barangay Basak-San Nicolas and Jaymar Esparaguera, 18, of Barangay Cogon Pardo, were nabbed at around 4pm yesterday.

SPO1 Raymond Supatan, team leader of the operation, said the two suspects use a cellular shop as a front for their illegal activities.

The shop is located at Legaspi corner Colon Streets, Cebu City.

Supatan said they placed the two under surveillance for a few weeks before the operation was conducted.

This came after the police continuously seized several falsified ID's and driver's licenses during their checkpoints throughout the city.

The operation was hatched to crackdown the illegal production of fake documents used in various crimes.

He said one of their operatives posed as a decoy who asked to have a fake driver's license made.

Salas asked P500 for the fake license which can be finished within five hours.

Salas, however, said that photo services are their priority jobs and not making fake ID's and licenses.

"Madugay usahay kun daghan magpa-picture namo, muabot og tunga sa adlaw among paghimo sa ID, (Sometimes, it takes longer if many customers have their photos taken. Making IDs takes half a day." he told The FREEMAN.

Salas said he chooses his clients depending on the purpose and necessity.

Aside from fake licenses and IDs, Salas said they also make fake job certificates and college diplomas.

He said he learned making fake documents from his previous boss who occupied the same space where his shop is located. He has been operating for at least a year.

"Tungod ra gyud ni sa tan-aw tan-aw hangtod nga nakamao ko og pameke, (I just observed until I learned how to make fake documents.)" he said.

Esparaguera, on the other hand, denied any knowledge of Salas' illegal activities. He claimed that he was just an ID canvasser for Salas.

Supatan said the suspects will face charges for falsification of public documents.

The two suspects are currently detained at the Cebu City Police Office stockade.  (FREEMAN)