MANILA, Philippines – Police seized some P2.1 million worth of counterfeit money and arrested six suspects in a raid in Las Pinas City, a police official said on Thursday.

Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales, National Capital Region police office chief, said police raided Wednesday morning an apartment that led to the arrest of five suspects, identified as Francis Sescon alias Boy Ginto, Leoner Sadoral alias Nomer, Jhon Caparuto, Alfredo Argao, and Antonio Laurente.

Another suspect, Bernardo Cruz, was apprehended earlier after police received a complained he allegedly tried to pay for his bill in an eatery in Manila using a fake P1,000 bill.

Further investigation of Cruz revealed that he was in possession of P3,000 worth of fake peso bills, Rosales said.

Upon investigation, Cruz told police the source of the fake currencies, which was also the main source of counterfeit money in Metro Manila.

Cruz reportedly told police that each fake P1,000 bill cost P300.

In the raid, police recovered a silver attaché case that contained 16 bundles of fake P1,000 bills.

All suspects are now in the custody of the Manila Police District Special Task Group pending the filing of charges for violation of Articles 166 and 168 of the Revised Penal Code for proliferation and possession of counterfeit Philippine currency, Rosales said.