MANILA, Philippines -- Six alleged members of a syndicate that produced fake money were caught by Manila policemen with P2.1 million worth of counterfeit bills.

Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director, told reporters in Camp Bagong Diwa Thursday that five members of the group were arrested in Las Piñas City after a man whom the police had apprehended for possessing fake money led them to the apartment where the group was staying.

They were identified as Francis Sescon, 53, of Assumption, Antipolo City; Bernardo Cruz, 50, of Sariaya, Quezon; Leoner Sadoral, 36, of Bangkal, Makati City; Jhon Caparuto, 25, driver, of San Pedro, Laguna; Alfredo Argao, 64, of Bagong Barrio, Caloocan City; and Antonio Laurente, 56, of Bacoor, Cavite.

The six were charged with violation of Articles 166 and 168 of the Revised Penal Code for proliferation and possession of counterfeit Philippine currency.

Rosales said that Cruz was the first to be arrested after they received complaints that he paid for food he bought from an eatery on M.H. del Pilar Street with a fake P1,000 bill.

Three more fake bills were found in his possession.

Cruz later told the police that a group in Las Piñas City sold him the fake money at P300 for each P1,000 bill.

The Special Task Group of the Manila Police District then raided the hideout, where they recovered from Sescon a briefcase that contained 16 bundles of fake P1,000 bills.

The police, however, failed to seize any gadgets used in making the counterfeit money.

Rosales urged the public to be more careful in handling money, saying the fake bills may be circulated in public markets or cockpits.

“A genuine bill has a thicker texture and has two lines that can be seen against the light. We should learn how to distinguish it from the fake one,” the NCRPO chief said.

He also asked people not to patronize the syndicate by buying counterfeit money because they could end up in jail.