One of 2 arrested for manufacture of fake money is 17th most wanted

CEBU, Philippines – The former member of the 56th Battalion of the Philippine Constabulary arrested last month for manufacturing fake bills is the 17th most wanted in the Philippines, the Cebu Provincial Police Office said yesterday.

CPPO acting director Erson Digal said he received a phone call from the Presidential Anti-Crime Emergency Response in Camp Crame informing him that the man who identified himself as Rogelio “Roger” Oblinar during the arrest is actually a certain Felizardo Pagulayan who is facing a case for kidnapping for ransom with a P500,000 bounty on his head.

Pagulayan was arrested with his supposed cousin Andrew Oblinar last month in Talisay City.

“Dako jud ning dungog namo nga among nasikop ang ika-17 nga most wanted dire sa Pilipinas,” Digal said.

The two suspects were arrested for manufacturing fake money, which they sold at half the money’s value.

Police received reports of the modus December last year. The police then got hold of samples of the bills and had them inspected by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas who confirmed that the bills were indeed fake.

After the arrest, one of the suspects even demonstrated to the media how a genuine bill can be reproduced.

Police believe the two are involved in a syndicate and called on victims to file charges.

Police are now looking into the possibility that the two may have an accomplice within the central bank and to determine their possible financier. – Christopher Gabriel Bonjoc/JMO (THE FREEMAN)