Bacolod City – An alleged fake negative RT- PCR test result for COVID-19 was intercepted from an inbound traveler to Negros Occidental.
The traveler allegedly paid P2,000 to secure the purported fake test result.
Provincial Promotion and Information Section chief Charina Magallanes-Tan said a 19-year-old Negrense, who wanted to return home, submitted the “fake certification” from the Philippine Red Cross laboratory in Mandaluyong and a fake S-Pass document, which was not approved by the provincial government of Negros Occidental.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said they discovered the test result to be fake as its font was different from genuine PRC documents. Verification with the Red Cross later confirmed that the paper was forged.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said Monday that he already tasked the Provincial Legal Office to investigate the incident.
“This is a serious offense that endangers the life of others,” Lacson said.
In previous months, the provincial government of Negros Occidental also intercepted fake negative RT-PCR test results from several returning Negrenses.
To gain entry to Negros Occidental, inbound travelers are being required to submit negative RT-PCR test results 72 hours prior to their travel and registration to the S-Pass to prevent the spread of COVID-19 variants in the province.
Violators may face criminal charges for violating Republic Act No. 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act.
(Dolly Yasa via The Daily Guardian (TDG), photo courtesy of TDG)