ILOILO City – The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) is monitoring the possible circulation of counterfeit money in Western Visayas.
Personnel of CIDG Region 6 are coordinating with the local police and concerned agencies, according to Police Colonel Gervacio Balmaceda Jr., director of CIDG-6.
Small businessmen and vendors are the most vulnerable, said Balmaceda.
“Kasi padalian lang at walang machine na mag-detect (ng authenticity ng pera) unlike sa mga malalaking business establishments. I warn them na suriin nang mabuti,” Balmaceda said.
In Cebu City, two persons were arrested for reportedly preparing fake banknotes for distribution in the May 2022 local elections.
Seized from them were P88,000 fake peso bills in P1,000, P500 and P100 denominations.
Suspects Ivan Noval Luardo and Joseph Mercado Salas were charged with violation of Article 168 (illegal possession and use of false treasury or banknotes and other instruments of credit) in relation to Article 166 of the Revised Penal Code.
“In the elections, it is anticipated that many will attempt to run through any means in solely disrupting the government’s goal of safekeeping the elections,” said Police Major General Ignatius Ferro, director of CIDG.
CIDG said these features would tell the difference between genuine banknotes and fake ones:
* Security paper – Money is printed on high-quality textile and feels different from usual paper.
* Embossed print – Running your fingers across the bill should help you feel out certain embossed marks or bumps.
* Tactile marks – These marks are in place to help visually-impaired individuals differentiate the denominations, but it can also help determine if the bill is legitimate.
* Watermark – The face of the bill should be present on the right side of the banknote as a faint shadow.
* Security fiber – The paper used for printing money is blended with other fibers and textiles for a sturdier finish that is difficult to replicate. If you see tiny lines on your cash, those are security fibers
* Asymmetric serial number – This random set of numbers is registered with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and means the banknote you’re holding is real and legitimate. Take note that the numbers ascend in size from left to right
* See-through mark – Hold your money against the light and a bit of it should pass through the bill. The public will also check the tilt.
* Security thread – This series of dashes runs vertically across the bill and varies shades depending on the denomination’s color.
* Concealed numerical value – This number should match the bill’s denomination.
* Optically variable ink – This feature is present on the 500-and 1-peso bills.
* Optically variable device patch – this feature is present on the 1,000-peso bill only and can be spotted on the left portion of the bill.
* Enhanced value panel – This feature is present on the 500- and 1,00-peso bills only. Both notes have the denomination printed in a thicker font on the upper left corner.
On the other hand, the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO6) intensified its intelligence monitoring.
“The police, in coordination with the BSP, will not hesitate to arrest and file charges against anyone if found responsible for circulating and being the source of fake peso bills,” said Police Lieutenant Colonel Arnel Solis, PRO-6 spokesperson./PN
