By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
With travel restrictions now slowly being lifted nationwide, the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) over the weekend renewed its warning for travelers not to use fake negative RT-PCR test results when entering the region.
PRO-6 spokesperson Police Lt. Colonel Arnel Solis said travelers bound for Western Visayas should check the entry requirements of the local government unit (LGU) of their destination in order to prevent any difficulties in their travel.
Solis said travelers should stop believing in individuals who are offering negative RT-PCR test results in exchange for money.
He said such offers are fake, and they could face criminal charges and imprisonment if they are intercepted in any of the region’s entry points.
Solis explained all legitimate RT-PCR tests taken from authorized hospitals and swabbing centers have several security features which are impossible to be faked and a proper process is being followed in their release.
He also pointed out that it is possible that the original RT-PCR test results are even offered cheaper compared to the fake ones.
Solis took the example of one incident in Quezon City, wherein a fake RT-PCR test result is being sold at P16,000, a far bigger amount compared to the original test which is only priced between P1,500 to P2,000 only.
Meanwhile, earlier on Saturday, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Police General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar, also reminded the public not to fall for the modus operandi of some groups that sell swab test results with no actual RT-PCR test.
“Hindi biro ang krimen na pamemeke ng RT-PCR results lalo na’t nasa gitna tayo ng pandemya. Nakasalalay sa mga test results na ito ang kaligtasan at kalusugan ng ating mga kababayan mula sa COVID-19,” Eleazar said.
“Kaya noon pa man ay tinututukan na ng ating kapulisan ang pamemeke ng COVID test results at iba pang mga mahalagang dokumento na may kinalaman sa COVID-19,” the PNP chief added.
Eleazar urged the public to report to authorities if they are victimized by this kind of swindlers.
Those who are caught using fake RT-PCR test results could face charges of violating provisions of Republic Act 11332, or the Law on Reporting of Communicable Diseases./DGB, WDJ