The Sanguniang Bayan (SB) of Malay, Aklan has already started the process of passing the law for the “permanent ban” of tourists entering the island resort using the fake negative COVID-19 RT PCR test result.
According to acting Malay Mayor Floribar Bautista, the SB has already begun its deliberation in a regular session held on Thursday to implement the said law.
According to the Aklan Provincial Government, up to 105 tourists have been caught violating safety and health protocols such as not wearing face masks. Up to 30 people were caught using fake RT PCR tests.
In a text message from acting mayor Bautista, he said that he himself spoke to the SB to pass the said local ordinance.
The Department of Tourism has previously charged tourists caught carrying fake RT PCR tests.
Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and the Local Government (DILG) has ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to arrest and prosecute those who are faking COVID-19 RT-PCR test results.
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According to DILG officer-in-charge Undersecretary Bernardo Florece Jr., these perpetrators would be punished by the law.
“The DILG directs the PNP to arrest and prosecute individuals who are forging their RT-PCR tests. This is a crime and is punishable under our law,” he said.
“We are also warning those people planning to fake their test certifications. Huwag n’yo na pong gawin at kung hindi, sisiguraduhin po namin na makukulong kayo,” he added.
Republic Act No. 11332 states that fakers of RT-PCR test results may face fines up to P50,000 and imprisonment of not less than one month but not more than six months.
It also states that “tampering of records relating to notifiable diseases or health events of public health concern, which includes official medical test results or medical certificates, or such other documents and records issued by public health authorities” is punishable by law.
“Huwag po tayong matigas ang ulo. Magpa-test po tayo para sa kabutihan ninyo, ng inyong pamilya, at ng lahat,” he said.