Fake money circulating in Ilocos

CAMP PRESIDENT QUIRINO, Ilocos Sur – Authorities here warned the public yesterday to be  cautious in receiving money, following the confiscation of P68,000 counterfeit money in Bantay town recently.

Senior Superintendent Jessie Cardona, PNP director, said his men are  hot on trail of a syndicate  behind the circulation of fake money in the province.

Senior Inspector Arsenio Ramos, chief of Bantay PNP station, reported to  Cardona that they were able to confiscate various denominations of fake money from Rochina’s store owned by Leonardo Rochina, of Barangay Cabalengegan, Bantay town.

The fake bills, totalling P68,000, are in P1,000, P500 and P100 denominations.

Based on investigation, Ramos said  syndicate members left the fake money behind upon sensing that policemen will be arriving soon. The group reportedly came from either Manila or Bulacan.

“We are now looking into a group, which is possibly the same syndicate circulating fake money in nearby provinces and in Manila,” added Cardona.