10/09/2022
BSP, PNP FILE RAPS VS FIVE PERSONS SEEN DEFACING BANKNOTES ON SOCIAL MEDIA
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have filed criminal complaints against five individuals who were seen in videos on social media “willfully defacing and mutilating” Philippine currency banknotes.
In a statement on Friday, September 9, the BSP said its Payments and Currency Investigation Group and the PNP Quezon City Police District - Anti-Cybercrime Team filed the charges before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.
The central bank said the five individuals, in separate videos posted on social media, were seen willfully tearing, piercing, defacing, or destroying legal tender Philippine currency banknotes.
“These individuals were charged with violation of Presidential Decree (P.D.) No. 247, in relation to Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC), as amended, and Republic Act (RA) No. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act),” it said.
The P.D. No. 247 penalizes the willful defacement, mutilation, tearing, burning, or destruction of Philippine currency by imprisonment of up to five years and a fine not exceeding P20,000.00.
Meanwhile, under Article 154 of the RPC, as amended, persons who, by any means of publication, encourage disobedience to the law are penalized by imprisonment and fine.
The RA 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act also penalizes all crimes covered by the RPC and special laws, if committed through or with the use of information and communication technologies, with a penalty at least one degree higher than that provided by the RPC and special laws, as the case may be. ​
The BSP urged the public to handle all Philippine banknotes and coins with due respect and dignity, and to protect their integrity as part of the country’s rich culture and heritage.​ – rrdg