THE Southern Police District (SPD) has stepped up its anti-crime drive, arresting 76 suspected drug offenders and 87 illegal gamblers in just one week.
SPD operatives also apprehended nine people in possession of illegal firearms and took 59 wanted criminals into custody during the week Aug. 7 to 13.
These achievements, according to SPD director Roderick Mariano, were a testament to the dedication and effectiveness of the police district in ensuring the safety and security of South Metro Manila..
Meanwhile, the SPD warned the public against counterfeit money being circulated by criminal elements as the “ber months’ or the peak shopping season draws near.
A 30-year old security guard named Kevin Jhon Soncio was arrested after using counterfeit money to pay for a pack of cigarettes in a sari-sari store in Barangay Fort Bonifacio Taguig City.
The suspect, who identified himself as a member of the Philippine Army, was found to have been dismissed from the service and in possession of falsified government identification cards.
The authorities reminded the public that possession of and using counterfeit money is a criminal offense.
Police are still investigating the possible source of the fake bill and who are the personalities behind the circulation.
Soncio is now detained and was charged with illegal possession and use of false treasury or bank notes and other instruments of credit, usurpation of authority, and falsification of public documents.
As the peak buying ber months — referring to the months of September, October, November, and December, is fast approaching, the government urged operators of shopping malls and other business establishments like restaurants and food chains to check properly when receiving these bills or use a detector to check if the bill is genuine.
Experts say genuine currency can be differentiated from fake ones.
A genuine bank note has slightly raised images and letters. The colors on the bank note also change when seen from different angles.