MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Dozens of Filipino shoppers in Divisoria  were arrested by police authorities for trying to pay with renminbi, the currency of China.

Most of those arrested recently visited Beijing and other cities in China as part of a tour group and had leftover Chinese currency.

Apparently, those apprehended read a news story in radyo.inquirer.net that Chinese currency may now be used in business and other transactions in the Philippines. It was supposedly one of the 29 agreements signed by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the latter’s recent visit to Manila.

Others said they saw a tweet by retired celebrity Jim Paredes about the Inquirer story.