By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental Provincial Incident Management Team (PIMT) confirmed yesterday that they have intercepted five individuals who have allegedly presented fake travel documents or reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test result.

PIMT head Dr. Zeaphard Caelian said of the five individuals they intercepted, four have fake S-PaSS documents and one presented a fake RT-PCR test result.

Caelian said the incident took place last month and the travelers originated from Batangas.

The five were subsequently taken for swab testing and placed in an isolation facility in Silay City.

He said they immediately reported the incident to the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force in Western Visayas.

Upon further questioning by authorities, it was revealed that the five were scammed at the Batangas Port who sold them fake travel documents.

Caelian was not able to say as to how much the fake travel documents are being sold, however, in previous cases fake travel documents and fake RT-PCR test results are being sold for as much as P3,800 to P5,000.

Caelian also added that they are still strictly implementing the province’s travel protocols and travelers entering the province are required to present a negative RT-PCR test result, as well as securing their travel documents using the S-PaSS system and the StaySafe.PH app.

Earlier, the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) said they have not yet monitored any individuals or groups selling fake travel documents in the province.

NOCPPO spokesperson Lt. Abegael Donasco also issued a warning to travelers not to present fake or tampered travel documents. Those who are caught can face charges for violating Republic Act 11332, or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Concerns Act, as well as Falsification of Public Documents under the Revised Penal Code.

Furthermore, Donasco said additional criminal charges can also be filed against violators if their real RT-PCR test results show they have tested positive for COVID-19./DGB, WDJ