Fake money maker charged in court

CEBU, Philippines - For waiving his right to avail of the preliminary investigation to answer the allegation filed against him, the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office recommended the filing of complaints before the court against a businessman accused of making fake money.

Prosecutor Van Russel Inopiquez indicted Richard Uy, 64, a resident of Univelle, Barangay Kasambagan, Cebu City for counterfeiting peso and dollar bills.

In an inquest proceeding, Uy manifested that he is not interested in filing counter-affidavit and is willing to face the case before the court.

He likewise cited that he wants to post bail for his temporary liberty.

The complaints filed were for violation of Section 166 of the Revised Penal Code or tampering of Philippine bills; Section 168 of Revised Penal Code or illegal possession and intent to use fake money and Section 176 of Revised Penal Code or manufacturing and possession of instruments or implements for falsification.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-7 led by lawyer Bernard dela Cruz arrested Uy during an entrapment operation last Tuesday afternoon.

They were able to seize about P500,000 worth of fake peso and dollar bills, several computer units and printers.

The operation of the NBI came after Neil Herrera, who allegedly received a fake bill, filed a complaint before the said office.

Based on reports, dela Cruz and other agents conducted surveillance and traced the fake bill to Uy.  As proof, they conducted a test buy on Uy and were able to buy six pieces of fake P500 bills at P85 per bill.

He added that while waiting for the delivery of the fake bills that they ordered, they applied for a search warrant which was granted by Judge Alexander Acosta of Regional Trial Court Branch 9.

In an interview, Uy admitted that he did make the fake peso bills.

He said there was one customer who went to him and ordered for it. He said because he needed money, he did the counterfeiting of the bills.

He said that he studied by himself on how to make these by using regular money.

A high school graduate, he forced himself to study the computer. Uy was into commercial art as his business. He added that he distributed fake bills in small amounts - by 20 pieces, ten pieces or five pieces to his customers.

Representatives from the investigation division of the cash department of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)-Manila who went to the Office of the NBI-7 told the media that there was coordination between BSP and the  NBI during the operation.

He said the BSP will issue a certification on whether the bills are genuine. He added that they will also assist in the legal procedures. — (FREEMAN)