This photo shows the slide comparing legitimate persons with disabilities (PWD) IDs and fake PWD IDs during the hearing of the Senate committee on ways and means at Senate of the Philippines, Pasay City, on Thursday, December 5, 2024. INQUIRER / NI脩O JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Six individuals behind the manufacture and distribution of fake persons with disabilities identification cards (PWD IDs) were arrested in separate operations of the Manila police and the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), the latter announced on Thursday.
In its report, the NCRPO said the Manila Police District carried out the operation along Quezon Boulevard in Santa Cruz, Manila on Wednesday late afternoon, resulting in the arrest of three individuals: 鈥淒ogdog,鈥� 49; 鈥淭ess,鈥� 34; and 鈥淢J,鈥� 31.
The Metro Manila police also said that its Regional Special Operations Group apprehended 鈥淎ileen,鈥� 45; 鈥淛onathan,鈥� 39; and 鈥淛ohn,鈥� 29, in an entrapment operation, after they were caught selling fake PWD IDs to a police posing as a buyer in Quiapo, Manila on Wednesday evening.
According to the police, the two busts also yielded a computer set, a laptop, printers, a rubber stamp, nine gold seals, a pack of vellum paper, a cutter, and a metal ruler as evidence.
Unfinished fake PWD IDs, other suspected forged IDs and an assortment of counterfeit public and private documents were also recovered.
The six suspects face charges before the Manila Office of the City Prosecutor for falsification of public documents as well as manufacturing and possession of instruments for falsification.
鈥淥ur operations against these types of scams will be aggressive and we shall ensure that airtight cases will be filed against them to ensure their conviction after trial,鈥� Regional Director Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin said in a statement on Thursday.
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The Restaurant Owners of the Philippines previously raised concerns on the use of fake PWD IDs, warning that 鈥渋nstead of supporting those who genuinely need it,鈥� the mandated 20-percent discount was being abused and taking a toll on businesses.