The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) has endorsed to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) P8,000 in fake peso bills found in a public market here.

A temporary certification issued by the BSP Bacolod Branch on July 22, declaring the banknotes counterfeit, was furnished by the city government to reporters yesterday.

“The notes enumerated, which were submitted by Police Staff Sergeant John Mark Ardiente, investigator of Bacolod City Police Office – Police Station 6, for verification, are declared counterfeit,” acting manager Abraham Serantes said.

These included 16 pieces of P500 bills bearing only four similar serial numbers, the list showed.

On July 19, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez alerted Bacolodnons on the circulation of fake money in the city after a supervisor of Libertad Market found a wallet containing counterfeit P500 bills.

“The market supervisor reported that several individuals have complained of receiving fake money from vendors, who were victimized themselves,” he added.

Among these vendors were Teresita Catedrelia, 59, of Barangay Banago, and Joey Javines, 43, of the Dona Juliana area.

“We will continue our monitoring, but for now, be vigilant. We should not allow these vendors to be victimized again as they earn a daily living,” Benitez said.

He said the police investigation would determine the extent of the operation of those behind the illegal activity. (PNA)