NBI nabs fake money suspect

Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have arrested a suspected member of a syndicate behind computer-aided counterfeit Philippine currency in an operation in Las Piñas City.

NBI Director Reynaldo Wycoco said suspect Brixton Bautista, alias Brixton Bustos, has been charged with illegal possession and use of false treasury or bank notes and other instruments of credits at the Las Piñas City Prosecutor’s Office.

In his report to Wycoco, NBI-Anti Fraud and Computer Crime Division (AFCCD) chief Efren Meneses said Bautista was arrested in an operation along Alabang-Zapote Road in Las Piñas City while in possession of fake peso bills.

Meneses said Bautista has been linked to Eduardo Pedrajas, the alleged brains behind the manufacture and proliferation of counterfeit Philippine currency in Metro Manila and parts of Iloilo.

It can be recalled that Pedrajas, 50, alias Rolando Pedrajas, was first arrested in Valenzuela City last June following reports from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas that there was a syndicate engaged in the manufacture of counterfeit peso bills of various denominations.

Since the crime is a bailable offense, Pedrajas managed to gain liberty, which allowed him to continue his illegal activity.

Forty days later, NBI agents arrested Pedrajas anew in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo.

Meneses said the syndicate scans genuine paper bills using a computer, then prints them out.