Couple nabbed with fake bills

CEBU, Philippines - Around P50,000 worth of fake bills were confiscated by the police  from a couple in Barangay Sudlon I, Cebu City Wednesday afternoon.

The suspects were identified as Ritchel Praba, 33, and her live-in partner Medes Torres, 37, who both hail from Guihulngan, Negros Oriental. They were caught for illegal possession and use of counterfeit bills.

 Police Officer 1 Feliciano Yballe who arrested the couple said that a vendor in Barangay Sinsin approached him to seek assistance after she allegedly received a counterfeit P1,000 bill.

The vendor reportedly told Yballe that the fake money was handed to her by two individuals who bought soft drinks from her. The vendor even gave the couple a change of what they have purchased.

 Yballe said that the vendor only realized that the P1,000 bill was fake after the suspects have left on board a cab heading to the city.

Yballe, who was on duty at that time, immediately chased the taxicab boarded by Praba and Torres and was able to flag down the taxi in Barangay Sudlon 1.

“Maayo gane naapsan pa,” he said.

 The police recovered P50,000 worth of fake bills in P1,000 denominations from the suspects.

The suspects allegedly confessed to possession of counterfeit money and claimed that they got some of the fake bills from Negros while they bought the others from Colon.

Yballe said that they are still tracking down where Praba and Torres could have bought the fake money.

 Praba and Torres are currently detained at Pardo Police Station and will face charges for violation of Article 168 of the Revised Penal Code. (FREEMAN)