MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday identified the third suspect behind the alleged sale of COVID-19 vaccination slots, adding that it has already filed several charges against them and the two other suspects.
PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar identified the third suspect as Nina Ellaine Dizon-Cabrera, founder and CEO of local make-up brand Colourette Cosmetics.
He explained that the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ASG) listed Dizon-Cabrera as a suspect after investigations showed she offered 50 to 100 vaccination slots in Mandaluyong City.
“The offer showed intent to sell and alleged involvement in the illegal activity,” the PNP Chief’s statement said quoting the ACG.
Dizon-Cabrera, however, denied the allegations in a Twitter post the same day, saying she was “completely baffled” as to why she was being dragged into the said scheme despite being the whistleblower.
Wait. BAT AKO UNG NAGBENTA BIGLA? Ako nga yung binentahan at ako ang nagpost? Hold on. https://t.co/ntfyvcgBvq
— Nina 💖 (@theninaellaine) June 9, 2021
Here's my statement pic.twitter.com/yx7tby5anH
— Nina 💖 (@theninaellaine) June 9, 2021
Eleazar also identified Cyle Cedric Soriano Bonifacio, 22, and Melvin Polo Gutierrez, 25, as the other two suspects involved in the said scheme.
Bonifacio was the first one to surrender to authorities on May 26.
According to Eleazar, the three suspects were charged with estafa under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code, and violation of Section 21-H of Republic Act 11032 or the Anti-Red Tape Law of 2007 and Section 6 of Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
“Noong nagaalok itong si Bonifacio sa kanyang dating high school classmate, pinangalanan niya si Gutierrez, isang fire at barangay volunteer, na umano’y contact niya para makakuha ng vaccination slot sa Mandaluyong City,” PGen Eleazar said, citing reports by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and ACG.
(When Bonifacio offered the slots to his former high school classmate, he named Gutierrez, a fire and barangay volunteer, as his alleged contact for him get vaccination slots in Mandaluyong City.)
Eleazar said that the ACG and the CIDG have not stopped its probe on the matter as there may still be others involved in the vaccine/vaccination slots-for-sale scheme.