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CIDG-North Cotabato agent Gaspar Neil Lacia identified the suspects as Simo Lantong, Francisco Banggaan and Lawingan Lumuyo, all of Barangay Kinuda, Kitaotao, Bukidnon.
Lacia said their office received an intelligence report from Arakan regarding the proliferation of fake gold bars there.
He said they immediately conducted a week-long surveillance of the area.
On Sunday, a tipster informed Lacia there were three persons selling gold bars in town.
One of CIDG agent who acted as buyer arrested the suspects in front of the Catholic Church in the town center.
Confiscated from the suspects were three fake gold bars weighing four kilos each. Each bar was being sold P500, 000.
Suspects are now being held at the Kidapawan City PNP detention cell.
“At first sight you would really be attracted to it because it seemed original. Surely the victim would be interested to buy it,” Lacia explained.
Lacia also appealed to residents of Arakan and other towns of North Cotabato to be vigilant and not to deal with suspicious individuals. (Williamor A. Magbanua/MindaNews)