NBI nabs suspect in fake permits

BACOLOD CITY: The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested a personnel of an art and framing store for allegedly manufacturing counterfeit business permits in Bacolod City on Saturday, February 3.

The entrapment operation was launched after a businessman, who requested anonymity, complained at the “Isugid kay Mayor” radio program that the business permit he obtained was fake.

The businessman, in a video interview with the Public Information Office, said he did not have the time to process his business permit on his own that is why he requested a friend to do it for him.

He said he instructed one of his employees to conduct a surveillance of the establishment located at the Bargain Square Mall at the city’s downtown area. The employee discovered that the establishment not only forges permits but also makes fake government documents and identification cards.

The NBI identified the arrested suspect as Jamoun Oliveros, a graphic artist, while the owner of the establishment was identified as Rodrigo Diose Jr.

Oliveros said they charge their clients from P1,000 to P1,300 for counterfeit business permits.

Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez on Monday said a thorough investigation is being conducted. He also ordered the concerned authorities to go after the culprits because these illegal activities hurt the tax collection of the city.

Lawyer Romeo Carlos Ting Jr., city legal officer, said inquest proceedings were conducted on Monday after the NBI-Bacolod filed the case for violation of Article 172 and 176 of the Revised Penal Code on falsification of public documents against the suspect.

Ting said that Diose is under probation, also for a falsification case in 2019.

Benitez warned the public to always scan on the quick response (QR) codes of the business permits to check on its authenticity.

He said that he was “surprised by the extent of involvement” of those behind the production of fake permits and identification cards in Bacolod City.