Drunk American jailed for tearing P500 bills

For defacing the Philippine currency, an American national was arrested in Malate yesterday after he reportedly challenged policemen to a fist fight and tore several P500 bills.

Kent Kozajewski, 41, is also the subject of a complaint by a taxi driver who said the American refused to pay his fare amounting to P175, Malate police station chief Superintendent Marcelino Pedrozo Jr. said.

It took some 10 policemen to subdue the drunk Kozajewski before he was handcuffed and placed behind bars, Pedrozo added.

At the police detention cell, Kozajewski reportedly created a scene and refused to be interviewed by the media.

According to taxi driver Benjamin Ocampo, he picked up Kozajewski along J.P. Rizal street in Makati City. The visibly drunk passenger met a lady at the Ermita Plaza and soon they were overheard quarrelling. He said his passenger refused to pay his fare amounting to P175 and instead took out a wad of Philippine P500 bills and started to tear some of them.

Charges are now being readied against the suspect for defacing the Philippine currency. — Nestor Etolle