The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested a man for selling fake Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) licenses, authorities said on Friday.

In a press briefing, the bureau said the suspect, identified as Eddie Bayotas Pleje, was arrested on 8 June in an entrapment operation after he handed over fraudulent documents to an undercover agent.

The NBI said the suspect offered CAAP licenses to individuals and groups who did not possess the necessary skills or meet the government regulatory requirements in exchange for money.

NBI Cavite North District Office Chief Czar Eric Nuqui said the suspect charged P15,000 for fake aircraft mechanic and pilot licenses.

Nuqui said the suspect made the deliveries of the licenses, indicating the involvement of a larger group.

“As for the one we caught, he was only the delivery person. Someone else made them, someone else handled the transactions. The suspect was taking certain security precautions. This isn’t a shallow transaction, it could be a syndicate,” he said.

Meanwhile, CAAP Intelligence and Investigation Division chief General Dionisio Robles said they did not know the suspect but were checking if he had any ties to CAAP personnel.

The agency has requested the NBI’s assistance in verifying this.

“We noticed that whoever was making the licenses had some idea of what official CAAP documents look like. That’s why we’ve asked the NBI to help us find out if someone from CAAP could be involved,” Robles said.

Aside from the impact of the fake licenses on the aviation industry, Robles said this may also affect the credibility of Filipinos seeking work abroad.