Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 9) — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have filed criminal complaints against five persons seen willfully damaging Philippine currency banknotes in videos uploaded on social media.
The BSP in a statement on Friday said they recently filed the cases before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.
Earlier, the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group identified the suspects as one foreign social media influencer and four Filipino vloggers.
It said the violations include tearing in half a ₱20 bill as part of a “social experiment;” stapling several banknotes for a basketball game; using a ₱50 bill as a funnel to pour oil; poking a hole into a ₱1,000 bill as part of a magic trick; and using ₱500 bills to wipe off dirt from shoes before crumpling and throwing these in the street.
“These individuals were charged with violation of Presidential Decree (PD) No. 247, in relation to Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC), as amended, and Republic Act No. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act),” the BSP said.
PD No. 247 prohibits defacing, mutilating, tearing, or partially burning or destroying Philippine peso bills. It carries a penalty of jail time of up to five years and/or a fine of not more than ₱20,000.
Meanwhile, those who encourage disobedience to the law, through any means of publication, are penalized by imprisonment and a fine under Article 154 of the RPC.
The central bank noted that the Cybercrime Prevention Act also punishes — with a penalty one degree higher — all crimes covered by the RPC and special laws, if committed through or with the use of information and communication technologies.
“The BSP urges 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,” it said.
