Bohol PNP probes into fake peso bills
TAGBILARAN CITY — Bohol policemen are now investigating how counterfeit peso bills had reached some small stores in Tagbilaran City undetected.
Warning the public of a possible widespread circulation of fake money, Superintendent George Vale, director of the Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO), in a press briefing, also said such scenario is likely to happen as the Christmas season approaches.
Vale sounded the alarm after a victim reported to the Tagbilaran Police Office last week that her store had unknowingly accepted fake peso bills.
Rosalina Campoamor Cabuga, 70, a small store owner in the city, said that a fake P1,000 bill, and three P500 bills were used by unidentified customers in purchasing goods at her store.
Police said the victim was not aware the bills were counterfeit until scanned by a detecting machine in one of the malls in Tagbilaran City.
Superintendent Patricio Degay Jr., director of the Tagbilaran Police, said victims of counterfeit money would ultimately bear the loss since no banks, and not even the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, would exchange fake bills into a genuine one.
"If you are in doubt, don't accept the money. Or have it reported to our office," Degay said. "The public must be vigilant and knowledgeable of the nature of a genuine peso money bill."
Vale, on the other hand, believed fake money bills might have been printed in the National Capital Region (NCR), and are being circulated in the provinces, especially in busy public markets where sellers or vendors do not use fake-moneydetection gadgets.