The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) led enforcement operations in Pampanga and Tarlac on 19 January 2022 that resulted in the arrest of four suspects.
During the operations, a total of 161 counterfeit Philippine currency banknotes and 78 fake foreign banknotes were confiscated. The four suspects were charged with violating Article 168 in relation to Article 166 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended.
Counterfeiters of Philippine currency may be subject to imprisonment of up to 20 years and a fine not exceeding 2 million pesos under Republic Act No. 10951.
The central bank, together with law enforcement agencies, such as the NBI, has been actively conducting joint anti-counterfeiting operations.
The BSP advises the public to report any information on currency counterfeiting to the nearest police station or law enforcement agency, or contact the BSP Currency Investigation Group (PCIG) through telephone numbers (02) 8988-4833 and (02) 8926-5092, or via email at pcig@gov.ph.