A couple was arrested for using fake Persons with Disabilities (PWD) IDs while respectively claiming financial assistance from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), June 28, 2017.

Jury R. Argilio, 44 years old, and his wife Arlene M. Sabordo, 40, residents of San Agustin, Trece Martires, Cavite were about to receive Php 10,000 each from the CSWDO as hospitalization assistance, when CSWDO head, Ms Dorothy Evangelista perceived that the IDs they have presented are fake.

Upon checking, the said IDs and other documents presented by the suspects were verified forged.

The couple revealed that they were recruited by an alias “Aling Cora”, an old woman from Quiapo, Manila, producing counterfeit documents, and recruiting people to pose as orthopedic patients and disabled. “Ni-recruit lang po kami ni Aling Cora, sabi po niya pag nakakuha kami ng pera hati daw po kami, ibigay daw po namin ‘yung kalahati sa kanya, (We were just recruited by Aling Cora, she told us to give her half of the money once claimed.)”  Sabordo said in an interview.  Other fake IDs with different addresses were recovered from the suspects.

The couple was immediately brought to the police headquarters for further investigation. Police said that this is not the first time they have received reports on using fake IDs.

A day after the apprehension, another claimant was arrested at the 3S Center in Barangay Ugong, also due to the usage of fake PWD ID. The suspect was identified as Maria Tulmaque, 58. According to her, she is from Quiapo, Manila stating the same story that she was also recruited by Aling Cora.

Evangelista is calling all agencies to check the authenticity of documents before processing benefits for members of the public to avoid fraudulent cases that are on the increase. She also calls the attention of the hospitals to be more careful in issuing medical certificates.

The city government through CSWDO, prepared more strict procedure on validating identification documents presented by the claimants and additional requirements to submit.

“We have immediately created coding system that we will be used in validating documents and IDs, and we will be more strict and careful in processing them”, Evangelista added.

The arrested suspects are now under the police custody while appropriate charges are being prepared.