Bicol police warn public vs. fake bills

By Connie Calipay

The Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO5) has warned the public against counterfeit money and advised those who get hold of it to immediately report to authorities.

In a recent statement, Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo, PRO5 regional director, advised Bicolanos to be vigilant as there could possibly be widespread circulation of fake P1,000, P500, and P100 bills, noting that this usually happens during the Yuletide season.

"Those bills are usually circulated in busy public markets where sellers or vendors do not use fake-money-detection gadgets," he said.

Estomo also reminded the public of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' (BSP) upgraded security features in all its new generation banknotes to make it easier for the public to determine fake and genuine peso bills.

These features, he added, make it difficult for counterfeiters to copy the banknotes.

He also encouraged the public to report any unscrupulous activities and other relevant and timely information to any nearest police stations or through social media -- Twitter: @PRO5React; FB: Kasurog Bicol; or Dial 117; text 2920; or their hotline 09173097862.

Meanwhile, Estomo said Christmas celebrations in the region was generally peaceful with no unusual or major untoward incidents.