A graphic artist was arrested by police in an entrapment operation in San Juan City on Friday for allegedly selling fake health certificates and travel passes.
Based on Eastern Police District, suspect Angelito Benipayo, 42, was nabbed inside the Burn and Jhoy Cellphone and Mobile Service at Greenhills Shopping Center at around 4:30 p.m.
According to the police, the entrapment operation was launched after a concerned citizen sought help from them to verify the “authenticity” of his wife’s health certificate and travel pass purchased at the said cellphone service shop.
Police said the San Juan City Health Office issued a certification indicating that the documents were fake as the signature of the city health officer on the document was scanned and forged.
During the operation, the witness and police officers in plain clothes purchased from the suspect the supposed health certificate and travel pass for a price of P700.
“Suspect immediately edited and scanned the health certificate and travel pass from his laptop and printed it,” the report read.
After receiving the P1,000 marked money, Benipayo was apprehended. Police also nabbed 32-year-old Laverne Esquivias when he allegedly tried to prevent the cops from arresting Benipayo.
Recovered from the scene were a laptop, a printer, and a laminating machine allegedly used by the suspect for forging and faking documents, according to police.
Police said charges for forgery and falsification of public documents will be filed against Benipayo, while Esquivias will be charged with obstruction of justice. (Jhon Casinas)