The Southern Police District (SPD) on Sunday called on the public to be wary of counterfeit money following the arrest of a former Army soldier who used counterfeit money in a store.

SPD Director Brig. Gen. Roderick Mariano reminded the public, particularly small store owners, to always keep their vigilance against fake bills, now that the “Ber” months are approaching and shopping season peaks.

“We urge the public to immediately report any person to the authorities using such bills in any transaction for appropriate action as the “ber months’ or the peak shopping season draws near,” Mariano said in a statement after the police arrested Kevin Jhon Soncio, 30, a dismissed Army soldier.

Socio was apprehended after using counterfeit money in a sari-sari store in Brgy. Fort Bonifacio Taguig City on Friday evening.

The police report said the suspect paid a PHP1,000 bill for one pack of cigarettes.

The witness, a minor who was tending the store during the incident, examined the bill and discovered it was fake. He immediately sought the assistance of village officials, who eventually arrested the suspect.

Authorities seized from Soncio nine PHP1,000 counterfeit bills and different identification cards.

During the arrest, the suspect introduced himself as a member of the Philippine Army. Upon validation, police found that he was already dismissed from the service and that he carried falsified documents.

The suspect is now facing charges of violation of Article 168 of the Revised Penal Code (Illegal possession and use of false Treasury or Bank Notes and Other Instruments of Credit), usurpation of authority, and falsification of public documents. (PNA)

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