MMDA seeks NBI help in probing alleged sale of COVID-19 vaccine slots

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said Monday it will seek the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) help in probing the alleged selling of COVID-19 vaccination slots.

“Mamaya, magpupulong kami sa NBI, at ito po ay sa NBI cybercrime,” MMDA chairperson Benhur Abalos said in a televised briefing when asked of actions to address the reported sale of vaccine slots.

(We will meet with the NBI cybercrime later.)

“Maganda po ang development sa aming kapulisan sa PNP [Philippine National Police] cybercrime [unit], may mga lead na po kami. Winawarningan po namin kayo. The full extent of the law will be applied here,” he added.

(There’s a good development from the police of the PNP’s cybercrime, we now have leads. We are warning you that the full extent of the law will be applied here.)

READ: Gov’t to probe LGU-linked online selling of jab slots

Abalos reminded the public that all COVID-19 vaccines from the government are free.

Slots for COVID-19 vaccination in Mandaluyong City and San Juan City were reportedly sold for as much as P12,000, depending on the vaccine brand.

For the China-made Sinovac, it is from P6,000 to P8,000 for two doses while the vaccine made by Pfizer and the British-Swede AstraZeneca brand is from P10,000 to P12,000 per slot.

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