NBI seizes P1-million fake bills, tags Samar congressional bet

MANILA, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) recently arrested in Pasay City two suspected members of a counterfeit gang and seized more than P1 million worth of fake peso bills that were supposed to be used by a congressional candidate in Samar in the 2010 elections.

In a press conference held at the NBI headquarters in Manila yesterday, Director Nestor Mantaring presented Armando Tiauson and Fulgencio Panado. A third suspect, identified as Ben Zalsos, remains at large.

The suspects were arrested at Tiauson’s room at the Belton Tower on F.B. Harrison street in Pasay City.

The suspects were charged with violating Article 166 (forging, importing or circulating treasury or bank notes) of the Revised Penal Code before the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office.

The NBI agents seized from the suspects 1,114 P1,000 bills, two P500 bills, a printing machine, ink, and other equipment used to manufacture fake peso bills.

Tiauson told NBI investigators that a congressional candidate planning to run in a district in Samar province hired Zalsos to contact forgers who can manufacture the fake bills. The NBI said it was looking into the allegation, but said it was unclear if the congressman is an incumbent official.

Tiauson said the candidate wanted to manufacture P100 million worth of fake bills to buy voters in the 2010 elections.

The suspects said they were contracted to do an initial P5 million worth of fake bills, of which more than P2 million have been made and more than P1 million already delivered to the politician. The payment would be given a day before the 2010 elections.