NBI busts couple for falsification

Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested a couple allegedly engaged in the falsification of birth and marriage certificates through the use of stolen government security papers in Sta. Ana, Manila.

NBI Director Reynaldo Wycoco said suspects Jeffrey Hernandez, 41, a businessman, and his wife Raquel, a former employee of the National Statistics Office (NSO) were charged with falsification of public documents and theft of government security papers at the Manila Prosecutor’s Office.

Wycoco said the couple was arrested inside their house at 2219 Mabuhay street in Sta. Ana, Manila shortly after NBI agents served a search warrant issued by Manila Judge Marino de la Cruz of Regional Trial Court Branch 22.

In his report to Wycoco, NBI General Intelligence and Investigation Division (GIID) chief Generoso Matulac said they received reports that the couple had been falsifying birth and marriage certificates using security papers, NSO stamps and dry seals at their house.

After verifying the information, NBI agents secured a search warrant, which was served last Wednesday. Seized from their house were items allegedly stolen from NSO as well as other materials used in making fake birth and marriage certificates.

It was learned that the couple offered to have their clients’ records at the NSO either deleted or encoded for a fee ranging from P15,000 to P25,000 .