Police to probe distribution of ‘Mar Money’

Den Macaranas of Radyo Inquirer 990 AM has received this envelope containing a fake P500 bill bearing Interior Secretary Mar Roxas’ face. The mail’s return address is in Makati City. PHOTO COURTESY OF DEN MACARANAS

Police units that have jurisdiction over the House of Representatives in Quezon City and the Senate of the Philippines in Pasay City will investigate the fake 500-peso bills bearing the face of outgoing Interior Secretary Mar Roxas that were sent to several members of the media.

The Quezon City Police District and the Southern Police District leadership have directed the chiefs of Batasan Police and Pasay City Police to look into the “Mar Money” after Roxas said the apparent black propaganda against him needs to be probed by the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation.

READ: Roxas says detractors behind fake money bearing his face

Despite launching an investigation on the attacks against the presidential candidate, the PNP distanced itself from politics and reiterated its role as “purely law enforcement” only.

“The duty of the police is purely law enforcement. We will only determine the criminal aspect on the matter. We will not dwell on other matters,” said Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor, PNP spokesperson, in a press briefing on Friday.

The fake money printed with Roxas’ face also bore the lines: “Salapi pa more!!! Ibulsa ang pera, iboto ang kursonada,” which could be associated to his longtime political nemesis Vice President Jejomar Binay who said the similar statement in one of his provincial sorties.

READ: Binay denies hand in spread of fake money bearing Roxas’ face

According to some of the recipients, the envelopes had different return addresses–one came from Makati City while others were sent from New Manila, Quezon City.

When asked if the PNP would directly ask Binay’s camp if they were responsible for the anti-Roxas materials, Mayor said: “May I appeal, let the PNP be alienated with any other matters. We are purely a law enforcement agency. If there is a criminal violation, that’s the time we’ll only intervene.”

He said police investigators would start gathering evidence, including the statements of individuals who received the fake bills.

“We also encourage those who received the fake money to give information to the police and we will direct the investigators to go to them,” said Mayor.  Julliane Love De Jesus