Fake Parañaque gov’t IDs produced near city hall

MANILA, Philippines–Criminal charges were filed Tuesday against two graphic artists who allegedly produced fake Parañaque City government ID cards from  stalls inside a shopping mall just a walking distance from city hall.

Complaints for falsification of public documents were filed against Rommel Cabañero, 35, and Melven Facturan, 26, in the city prosecutor’s office, according to Parañaque police chief Senior Supt. Ariel Andrade.

Arrested on Monday, Cabañero and Facturan operated photography service shops inside San Antonio Shopping Center on San Antonio Avenue, said Chief Insp. Rolly Santiago, head of the city hall police detachment.

The stalls were raided by the police following the arrest of Henry Ibabao, who was caught pretending to be a local government employee when he approached a city hall office that assists persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Santiago said Ibabao presented a fake ID when he tried to solicit P500 from the office. When arrested, the bogus employee pointed to the stalls of Cabañero and Facturan as his sources of fake IDs, which were sold at P200 each.

Ibabao remained in detention also to face falsification charges, Andrade said.–Kristine Felisse Mangunay