2 arrested with fake peso bills

Police arrested the other day two men, reportedly members of a counterfeit money syndicate, for allegedly passing fake peso bills to buy one pack of cigarettes.

Suspects Rey Ledesma, 38, and Alvin Gomez, 25, both residents of Batasan Hills, Quezon City, are now detained at the city police detention cell as they await proper charges to be filed against them.

Investigation showed that the suspects were arrested at about 11:30 a.m. inside a convenience store in the north area of Caloocan City where the two men used a P500 bill to purchase a pack of cigarettes.

Upon closer inspection, the storekeeper noticed that the money was fake. He sought assistance from authorities, which resulted in the immediate arrest of the suspects.

Arresting policemen later confiscated at least P6,000 in counterfeit money from the suspects.

Meanwhile, Mayor Reynaldo Malonzo warned city residents, about the spread of these fake bills. He said people should beware of fake P500 and P1000 bills, which are believed to be proliferating in the northern metropolis.

In a press conference, Malonzo said he is positive that the suspects are members of a big-time syndicate making and distributing counterfeit money.

In another case, police arrested Saturday three women in Caloocan City believed to be members of a syndicate using fake and stolen credit cards to purchase jewelry.

Charges of theft were filed yesterday at the City Prosecutor’s Office against Luisa Escano, 26, Clinate Velasco, 30, and Maria Jimenez, 34, all residents of Quezon City. Bail was recommended at P190,000 each. – Matthew Estabillo and Pete Laude