NBI seizes counterfeit bills in raid; 3 arrested

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) claimed to have busted a syndicate behind computer-aided counterfeit peso bills during a raid in Valenzuela over the weekend.

NBI Director Reynaldo Wycoco identified the arrested suspects as Rodolfo Jabiguero, 47; Rolando Pedrejas, 50, and his wife Arlene Pedrejas, 30, all from 1206 Barangay Bitik Gen. T. de Leon street in Marulas.

The suspects and the counterfeit money amounting to P.6 million were presented to media by NBI Assistant Director Lolito Utitco, NBI Anti-Fraud and Computer Crime Division (AFCCD) chief lawyer Efren Meneses Jr., Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) deputy Director Roberto Sequia and BSP investigator Jun Atienza.

Meneses said NBI agents, assisted by BSP investigators, conducted the raid at the house of the couple and another owned by Jabiguero at 1255 Tamaraw Hills, also in Marulas.

The anti-fraud chief said the raid was conducted following a request from the BSP for investigative assistance against suspects linked to the manufacture of counterfeit money.

In their operation, suspects copy genuine money using a scanner, then erase and replace the serial number using computers before printing the bills.

After paper bills are printed, finishing touches are applied before distribution, Meneses pointed out.

After verifying the illegal operation, AFCCD agents secured a search warrant from Valenzuela City Judge Floro Alejo of Regional Trial Court Branch 172.

Armed with the warrant, lawmen raided the two houses and found large quantities of cut and uncut counterfeit P500, P200 and P100 bills, two sets of computers with accessories and printing paraphernalia worth P100,000.

The couple was arrested and were taken in for further questioning.

Shortly after the arrest, Jabiguero appeared at the NBI office to inquire about the status of the couple.

NBI agents said Jabiguero was also arrested after admitting that sheets of paper found at his house belonged to him.

The suspects will be charged for forging treasury and bank notes and other public documents.

When interviewed by reporters, the three denied the charges, claiming they do not even know how to use computer.

Meanwhile, BSP officials asked the public to be more vigilant against fake peso bills as they handed out a booklet entitled, "Know Your Philippine Currency."

The booklet aims to help the public recognize genuine Philippine currency and guard against counterfeits.

There are several ways to detect a genuine bill from a fake. First is the feel of the paper since the genuine note is printed on a special kind of paper which is rough when you run your fingers through it. During the manufacturing of the paper, the watermark, security fibers, security threads and iridescent band are included. BSP anti-counterfeit investigator Enrique Ofracio said the paper comes from Bristish-firm Thomas Dela Rue, which provides paper for currencies worldwide.

One can also examine the watermark on the unprinted portion of the note. The watermark is the silhouette of the portrait appearing on the face of the note. Sharp details of a light and shadow effect can be seen when the note is viewed against the light.

The handout also advises the public to inspect the visible red and blue security fibers, which are scattered at random on both surfaces of a genuine note.

A genuine paper bill has an embedded security thread, which is embedded at the center of the note. It appears as a broken line for P5, P10, P20 bills and as a straight line for P50, P100, P200, P500 and P1,000 bills.

The guide also advises the public to examine the portrait, which should appear life-like with the eyes almost sparkling. Shading is formed by the fine lines, giving the portrait a characteristic facial expression which is extremely difficult to replicate.

The serial number of the bills, consisting of one or two prefix letters and six or seven digits. Letters and numerals are uniform in size and thickness, evenly spaced and well aligned. The value of the noted should also be visible under ultra violent light.

Atienza said rewards await persons who can provide information about groups engaged in producing fake currencies.