Manila Police District (MPD) personnel arrested a Filipino-Chinese man allegedly involved in the ‘vaccination slot for sale’ modus operandi.
MPD-Special Mayor’s Reaction Team chief, PLtCol Rosalino Ibay Jr., identified the arrested as James Chua, 35, a businessman and resident of Molino, Bacoor, Cavite. Chua was arrested at the Cuneta Avenue corner F.B. Harrison Street, Pasay City.
According to the report, the police launched an entrapment operation after the Office of the Secretary to the Mayor-Manila sought help regarding the information received that vaccination slots are being sold online.
Here, delivery/pick-up rider Reckham Salubre was arrested when he took the money from a remittance center named after Chua.
According to Salubre, his boss instructed him to pick up money from Chinese nationals living in Binondo, Manila. He said he did not know that it was a fee for the vaccination slots offered.
Salubre, on the other hand, cooperated with the police, who resumed the operation. Salubre went to their office and handed the money to Chua so that the police could arrest him. Chua has been charged with violating Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code (Fraudulent Representation) and Manila City Ordinance 8740, which prohibits the illegal sale of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Filipino-Chinese arrested for selling vaccine slot
Despite this, the police did not mention whether the suspect was an accomplice in offering the vaccine slot.
Last month, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año warned local government officials they would be held accountable by the law if they will be involved in the alleged sale of COVID-19 vaccine slots.
At the same time, Año assured that they are thoroughly investigating Kyle Bonifacio, who is allegedly involved in selling COVID-19 vaccine slots, to find more leads in such illegal activity.
The Department of Health Monday reported that over two million Filipinos already completed their doses of COVID-19 vaccines.
Since the vaccination program began in March, up to eight million COVID-19 vaccines have been administered to the people.
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