The suspects had been the subject of police surveillance and intelligence gathering following a series of complaints from Filipinos and foreigners who lost large amounts of cash after dealing with them, according to Malate police station chief Superintendent Marcelino Pedrozo Jr.
"The modus operandi of the group is to sell fake US treasury notes and bank notes to their unsuspecting victims at discounted prices. They have been operating largely in the tourist belt areas," Pedrozo said.
With the help of a confidential foreign buyer, police set up an entrapment operation against the syndicate’s members in front of the Ambassador Hotel along Mabini street in Malate.
When the buyer flashed the pre-arranged signal, police operatives standing nearby swooped down on the four suspects.
Pedrozo identified the suspects as Alex Manalo, 39, of Banay-Banay, Transville Subdivision, Lipa City, Batangas; Ronald Berdida, 39, of Villaruel street, Pasay City; Edgar Bulahan, 37, of Del Pilar street, Ermita; and Carlito Julia, 38, of PNR Compound, San Andres Bukid, Manila.
Seized from the group were several uncut sheets of suspected counterfeit US dollars in several denominations.
The suspects are now undergoing tactical interrogation to determine the source of the counterfeit bank notes, Pedrozo said.
Initial charges of violation of Article 168 of the Revised Penal Code or possession of counterfeit notes were filed against the suspects, awaiting final recommendation by the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas.