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.
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.
PNP to arrest fakers of RT-PCR test results
Florece cited an incident in Boracay where three tourists from Metro Manila tested positive for COVID-19 after presenting fake RT-PCR test results.
“Kung nakapasok ang tatlong ito na nagpositibo sa COVID sa Boracay ay mas malaking problema, mas madami pang madadamay sa kalokohan ninyo,” he said.
Last month, a man in Davao was held in custody after he presented a fake swab test result upon arrival at Francisco Bangoy International Airport.
Also in January, a doctor and his clinic in Valenzuela were sued for allegedly forging the RT-PCR test results. The complainant is also a doctor who manages a clinic in Bulacan.
“Nakikiusap po kami sa ating mga kababayan, makiisa po tayo, hindi pa po tapos ang pandemya, mahaba pa po ito. We must cooperate or else nakahanda po ang PNP at ang mga pamahalaang lokal na kayo ay arestuhin,” Florece said.