Man caught w/ counterfeit P1000 note

CEBU, Philippines - A man from Bacolod City was arrested Monday afternoon for allegedly using fake money to pay for his bill at the cafeteria in one of the stalls inside Jaro Plaza in Iloilo City.

The incident happened when Jaro district celebrated its renowned religious fiesta in honor of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria (Our Lady of Candles).

The suspect, identified as Jerome Gonzales of Barangay Sum-ag in Bacolod, allegedly ate at the cafeteria of Noemi Hablo, barangay chairwoman of Desamparados village in Jaro district of Iloilo City, and paid his bill using a P1000-bill.

Before giving Gonzales his change, Hablo immediately noticed that the bill features differed from the real P1000 money. She then told Gonzales that she will have her husband checked on the money. But the suspect immediately told Hablo that he will just change the bill.

This further raised Hablo's suspicion and called on police officers for assistance, and who in turn arrested Gonzales, who is now detained at the lock-up cell of Iloilo City Police Station 3.

Earlier, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas  said the most distinctive feature would be the watermark at the picture of a genuine bill that could not be found on the counterfeit money. But local police have yet to monitor any group that may have circulated counterfeit bills in Iloilo City. — Jennifer P. Rendon (FREEMAN)