3 arrested over fake money

MANILA, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested three persons for allegedly selling fake dollar bills and Japanese yen in a recent entrapment operation.

Head Agent Rosauro Bautista, in a report, said Diomedes Lugtu, Arlene Amorin and Franco Roque were charged before the Quezon City prosecutor’s office with violating Articles 166 and 168 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) (forgery of treasury or bank notes and possession of false treasury or bank notes).

The NBI said the suspects have posted bail of P74,000 each.           

Records show that on June 21,the suspects took the NBI assets to a warehouse in Manresa, Quezon City. The deal was for the sale of printing machines, security papers and chemicals to be used in the manufacture of counterfeit money.

In an interview, Bautista said Lugtu claimed he was the one who pinpointed to former President Ferdinand Marcos where to dig for gold and precious metals. Bautista said they are still verifying Lugtu’s statement.