• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Mayor Alfredo Benitez said Feb. 5 that he was “surprised by the extent of involvement” of those behind the production of fake permits and cards in Bacolod City, as he commended the National Bureau of Investigation for a successful entrapment operation Feb. 3.
Benitez said that, as early as last year, he already coordinated with the NBI about the proliferation of fake business permits, and they were able to arrest on Saturday a graphics artist allegedly involved in the counterfeiting of permits and cards.
The city said that Jaymoun Oliveros, 25, graphics artist of Kurit Portrait Gallery, was nabbed while handing over a fake permit, and is now facing charges for falsification of public documents.
Aside from bogus business permits, the city said the shop is also into the counterfeiting of driver’s license, city health cards, and others IDs.
City Legal Officer, Atty. Romeo Carlos Ting Jr., said at the press conference at the City Mayor’s Office Monday that, according to the NBI, Oliveros’ boss is under probation, also for a falsification case in 2019.
Benitez said he has asked all concerned offices to continue with the investigation on the proliferation of fake permits and cards, and to intensify the anti-corruption drive “so that we will clean up City Hall” and arrest those involved in this illegal activity.
“Daw ka glaring…tanan na tawo na involve, from the public to employees, wala nahadlok,” the mayor stressed.
He also renewed his appeal to business owners to ensure or validate that their permits are valid. “Sila mismo mag-scan sang QR code sa ila permits. But if the intention is to get or secure a fake business permit, then it’s their look out. They cannot claim innocence anymore if madakpan sila.” | CGC
