Man nabbed for selling fake gun ban exemptions

MANILA, Philippines - A man was arrested Monday for allegedly selling falsified gun ban exemptions from the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Ricardo Villaflor III, 42, a resident of Old Balara, Quezon City, was charged with falsification by a private individual, usurpation of authority and swindling before the Manila prosecutor’s office, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said yesterday.

Complainant Carlito Edano Jr., a security consultant, told the NBI that Villaflor was introduced to him as one who could allegedly facilitate the release of Comelec gun ban exemptions for a fee of P5,000 and another P9,000 for the person who would facilitate the documents.

Edano and his colleagues told the NBI that they were instructed to wire P45,000 to Rico Pandi in San Fernando, Pampanga.

After a week, Villaflor reportedly demanded P10,000 as grease money for his accomplices at the Comelec. The complainants gave him the money, the NBI said.

After receiving the gun ban exemptions, the complainants doubted the authenticity of the documents and went to the Comelec, which confirmed that the documents were fake.

The NBI set up an entrapment to catch Villaflor, who demanded P2,000 for the release of the official receipts. The NBI arrested Villaflor when Edano handed him marked money.

At the NBI headquarters, Villaflor allegedly identified himself as a major from the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Investigators found that the suspect was not a member of the AFP.

The suspect also possessed fake police and military identification cards, the NBI said.