Davao City – Around 60 individuals have been apprehended by Davao City authorities for presenting falsified RT-PCR test results when they arrived at the Davao International Airport (DIA).
Based on the data provided by the Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) from November 13, 2020 to March 29, 2021, out of the 60 individuals intercepted, 32 cases have been filed, 3 individuals are up for inquest while 25 other arrested individuals will face charges through regular filing.
Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) head Angel Sumagaysay said that most of them were travelers from Manila and Cebu. According to the report, there were also five uniformed personnel arrested for submitting falsified COVID-19 swab test results.
“Na-file na ang kaso, wala ta’y ginapili bisan kinsa because you are putting the city at risk. They will be facing criminal charges and possibly administrative cases,” Sumagaysay said.
He said that they will be facing charges for violation of Republic Act No. 11332, also known as the “Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act”, for not declaring health status.
Currently, there are four individuals detained for falsification of RT-PCR test results while 23 others were released on bail. He also disclosed that an individual tested positive for the disease.
“Naa ta’y isa ka case nga iyang gi-edit ang result, ang gipakita niya kay negative tong gi-verify kung asa sya nagpaswab and it turned out nga positive sya,” Sumagaysay said as he advised the public to also check the legitimacy of the clinic before getting a swab test.
The Davao Aviation Security Unit (AVSEU), Airport Health Monitoring Team, as well as the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), has been consistently monitoring Davao-bound passengers, especially in verifying the authenticity of the documents presented by travelers.
“We are religiously implementing the health protocols nga dapat i-impose particular diha sa DIA,” he said.
Recently, Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte reminded Davao-bound passengers not to falsify their documents because it will just put them and other people in danger.
“Automatic, pag-fake imong gi-present, dili na mi maminaw sa explanation, i-hold kana diretso and bayran nimo imong testing, hulaton ang test result nimo. Kung negative ka, diretso na sa inquest. Kung positive ka, diretso na ka dan-on sa facility, filing of case will follow,” Duterte said.
On March 23, 2021, in accordance with City Ordinance No. 0477-21, the Davao City Government reinstated its ordinance requiring individuals to submit a negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test result prior to entry into the city via DIA.
(City Information Office | Michael Manguhig, RPN DXKT Davao OIC)