PNP probing alleged sale of bogus COVID-19 test results

Philippine National Police (PNP) Police Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar  (Niño Jesus Orbeta/Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said is conducting an investigation on the alleged sale of falsified COVID-19 swab test results.

PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, in a statement, said he ordered the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Anti-Cybercrime Group to investigate the matter.

Falsified negative swab test results are being sold for at least P1,000 each even without an actual swab test conducted, according to reports which made rounds on social media. 

 “We will not allow this. The PNP will track down and arrest the persons behind this kind of scam,” Eleazar said.

Eleazar likewise asked the public to inform the police if they are offered such services.  He also stressed that individuals who patronize such activities will he held liable.

In a separate statement on Thursday, the Department of Health (DOH) also encouraged the public to report the scheme to the police.

 DOH said the public should provide a copy of the fake or tampered COVID-19 test result, the name and contact details of the laboratory or person who provided the fake result, and other relevant information to the police.

 The list of hotlines for the regional units could be found in this link.

“We are asking for the public’s cooperation so that we can quickly arrest the culprits and shut down this activity which is not only illegal but poses a danger to public health as it would set back our efforts in curbing the spread of COVID-19,” Eleazar said.

gsg