THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to probe incidents arising from the spread of fake RT-PCR test results, and to file cases against perpetrators, if warranted.
In Department Order 088 dated April 23, 2021, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said, “[The] NBI, through officer-in-charge Eric B, Distor, is hereby directed and granted authority to conduct an investigation and case build-up on the alleged proliferation of falsified negative Real-Time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test results used to enter Boracay Island, and if evidence warrants, to file the appropriate charges against those found responsible therefor.”
The DOJ order was issued on the request of the Aklan provincial government, which sought the assistance of the DOJ during the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force meeting last March 18, due to the rampant fake negative RT-PCR test results being presented to the island.
In a Viber message to the BusinessMirror, Guevarra explained that not only the tourists who presented the fake negative RT-PCR test results will be investigated, but “also included [are the forgers],” and those who scam the tourists into taking fake tests. “It’s more important to stop those who manufacture the fake test results,” he underscored.
To date, 166 tourists have been found presenting fake negative RT-PCR test results, some of whom were caught in Manila before boarding the plane, and others at the Caticlan jetty port, according to the Malay local government.
The Department of Tourism-Region 6 (Western Visayas) had filed charges in February against six tourists from Manila who submitted fake negative RT-PCR results to enter Boracay. They were arrested in January for falsification of public documents.
Covid cases in Boracay rising
Boracay Island, the acknowledged crown jewel of Philippine tourism, continues to remain closed to tourists from the National Capital Region, Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, and Laguna (NCR-plus), which remains under modified enhanced community quarantine status until April 30. President Duterte is expected to announce the quarantine status for NCR-plus on Wednesday.
In a news statement over the weekend, the DOT reminded the public that non-essential travel to and from the NCR Plus was still prohibited.
“Leisure travelers from the aforementioned region and provinces are encouraged to postpone their travel plans to any areas outside the bubble until such time that the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases will lift the travel restrictions,” said the DOT.
Meanwhile, as of April 24, the Malay Inter-Agency Task Force reported nine new confirmed Covid-19 cases, raising the total confirmed cases in the municipality to 258.
The largest number of active cases were in Brgy. Manoc-Manoc at 30, followed by Brgy. Yapak at 17 (eight new), and Brgy. Balabag at 11 (one new)—all villages on the island.
The Malay government continued to prohibit the operation of bars on the entire island, live shows and music at restaurants and food parks, cockfighting and the operation of cockpits, and non-essential gatherings. Curfew hours are still between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m.
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