(Photo courtesy of Jack Jarilla)
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) has filed a complaint for falsification of documents against six tourists from Manila who forged their Covid-19 swab test results to enter Boracay Island in January.
“The Department of Tourism (DOT), after repeated warnings against tourists who falsify their COVID tests to enter Boracay, has filed charges against the six Manila-based errant tourists who were nabbed in January 2021 for Falsification of Public Documents,” the DOT said in a statement on Monday.
Three of the six tourists were earlier confirmed to be infected with the new coronavirus.
Meanwhile, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said the DOT welcomes the directive of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to the Philippine National Police to arrest and prosecute those found forging their Covid-19 test results.
Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo Puyat (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / LEO M .SABANGAN II)
The DILG earlier said that the violation is punishable under Republic Act No. 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act, which provides for penalties of P20,000 to P50,000 or imprisonment of one month to six months, or both, at the discretion of the court.
“In anticipation of the further relaxation of regulations governing inter and intra-regional movements, the LGUs (local government units) should be prepared to address an increase in the number of applications and visits. Enforcement is key and we must all do our share in keeping Boracay safe,” Romulo-Puyat said.
Boracay received a total of 11,898 visitors in January this year alone, with an average 300 to 400 tourists a day, according to the tourism department.