The National Bureau of Investigation Special Task Force and Cybercrime Division arrested three individuals for illegal notarial practice in the vicinity of the Commission on Elections office in Pasay City.

The suspects will face charges for violating Article 172 (Falsification by Private Individuals) in relation to Article 171(1) and Article 171(2), Article 176 (Possession of Instruments or Implements for Falsification), Article 177 (Usurpation of Authority or Official Functions), and Article 315 paragraph 2(a) (Estafa by means of Deceit) of the Revised Penal Code.

A report showed that on 27 May, the Special Task Force and Cybercrime Division received a request to verify and act on the illegal notarial activities of individuals operating near the Comelec. The group had allegedly been notarizing documents using the complainant’s name and details as Notary Public without his knowledge, authority, or consent.

NBI Director Jaime B. Santiago instructed agents to immediately conduct covert inquiries and verification on the same day. This led to an entrapment operation in the area.

Upon arrival, the agents spotted two offices offering notarial services. Simultaneous entrapment operations were carried out, resulting in the arrest of Irene Catubay, Violeta A. Tugado and Evethi A. Buenaventura. Authorities also seized various instruments and tools used in the unauthorized notarial practice.

The arrested individuals were brought to the Special Task Force and Cybercrime Division office for standard booking and detention. They were later presented for inquest before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Pasay City for the stated violations. with PATRICIA RAMIREZ