MORE NEWS, ILOCOS SUR

Fake money circulating in Region 1 provinces
BY MYDS SUPNAD

CAMP PRESIDENT QUIRINO, Ilocos Sur – Authorities here warned the public to be cautious in receiving money, following the confiscation of P68,000 counterfeit money in Bantay town recently.

Senior Supt. Jessie Cardona, provincial police director, said his men were hot on the trail of a syndicate behind the circulation of fake money in the province and other parts of the region.

Senior Insp. Arsenio Ramos, chief of Bantay police, reported to Cardona they confiscated various denominations of fake money from Rochina’s store owned by Leonardo Rochina, of Barangay Cabalengegan, Bantay town.

The fake bills, totaling P68,000, are in P1,000, P500 and P100 denominations.

Based on investigation, Ramos said syndicate members left the fake money behind upon sensing that policemen will be arriving soon.

The group reportedly came from either Manila or Bulacan.

“We are now looking into a group, which is possibly the same syndicate circulating fake money in nearby provinces and in Manila,” added Cardona.

Business establishments have been complaining suspected members of the syndicate who posed as customers have been paying goods with fake peso bills.

Police warned such establishments saying they could buy gadgets available in certain outlets which could detect fake money.