Be wary of counterfeit PH money–NCRPO chief

The police on Monday warned the public anew on counterfeit money as enterprising criminals continue operating in various posh hotel resorts and casino in Metro Manila.

Two South Korean nationals were arrested by the Pasay City police station on Sunday for possession of counterfeit Philippine currency at the Resort World Manila along Newport Boulevard in Barangay 183 Villamor, Pasay City.

The suspects were identified as Seong Bok Min, 52, a call center manager and residing at 18C Infinity Condominium 25th Street, Barangay Pinag-sama, Bonifacio Global Taguig City; and Cheongyeo Yun, 49, a cosmetic industry officer and resident of Unit 12L Forbeswood Height Tower 6, also in BGC.

The police arrested the foreigners based on the complaint lodged by Donna Del Valle, 29, a casino cashier of Resort World and resident of Pasay City, Rommel Almoite, 35, also a casino employee, of Old Sta. Mesa, Manila, and gaming officer Catherine Gaa, 34, of Cainta, Rizal.

Recovered from the suspects were 15 pieces of counterfeit one thousand peso bill.

Initial investigation showed that the suspects found in possession of counterfeit Philippine money when they tried to exchange the currency into casino chips.

Police said that eleven pieces of counterfeit money were recovered from Cheongyeo and four more pieces from Seong Bok Min.

In May, the National Capital Region Police Office called on the public to be wary of counterfeit money, after the Pasay City police arrested three men, also including a South Korean, for peddling fake currencies at the Resort World.

“We advise the residents to carefully examine their bills, so as not to be victimized by this illegal activity. We also call on the public to call the authorities for information that will lead to the arrest of those behind these counterfeit money,” said NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar.

The suspects were identified as Fernando Silanga, 44, a dismissed police officer; Tiange Wu, 31, a Chinese national and casino junket operator; and Song Ho Sang, 53, a South Korean national.

Silanga was last assigned to the Eastern Police District in San Juan City. In 2009, he was charged with an administrative case, detained and released on bail. He was ordered demoted in April 2011 and was dismissed from the service in April last year.

The operation stemmed from a telephone call from the in-house security of Resort World who reported that the three suspects allegedly attempted to transact using counterfeit currency. They were questioned and arrested after the complaint against them was verified.

Investigation disclosed that the fake money came from another South Korean suspect, identified as James Park.

Confiscated from the suspects were fake US dollar bills worth P287,700, which they tried to change into casino chips worth P15 million.