One of the suspects behind the reported illegal sale of Covid-19 vaccines has been identified by the police and is already being hunted, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Guillermo Eleazar said on Monday.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) following their continuing investigation singled out the suspect, whom the PNP chief declined to identify.
“Based on the initial result of the investigation, we have already identified at least one person who offered his high-school friend two brands of vaccines for a price ranging from P12,000 to P15,500 through a social-media messaging app,” said Eleazar.
“The same person has been claiming that he has contacts in San Juan and Mandaluyong LGUs [local government units], the reason why he could easily get vaccines and even guarantee slots for the vaccination, and even presented deposit slips as proof of his previous transactions,” he added.
Reports earlier circulated that Covid-19 vaccines are being sold in some areas in eastern and southern Metro Manila although these are supposed to be free, alarming some local chief executives in Metro Manila.
As soon as a report on the illegal sale of vaccines came out, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año ordered Eleazar to probe deeper into the report. The PNP chief, in turn, tasked the directors of the CIDG and ACG to look into it.
“In response to my directive on 22 May 2021…the directors, CIDG and ACG immediately conducted an investigation to identify those behind the reported sale of vaccine and sale of vaccination slots in the government’s Covid-19 vaccination program,” Eleazar said.
“Our CIDG and ACG investigators are now zeroing in on this person, although he has already deactivated all his social-media accounts, and we assure the public that he will face the full force of the law for this kind of illegal activity,” he added.
The PNP chief appealed to Filipinos to report to the PNP, through its e-sumbong site, any illegal transactions relating to the sale of vaccines and vaccination slots in their respective areas.
“We assure you of our quick response,” he assured.
Eleazar reiterated that Covid-19 vaccination is free and “any attempt to engage in selling the vaccines or vaccination slots, or be beneficiaries of these illegal activities will only put you in trouble.”
“Let us work together to put a stop to these criminal practices which are plainly and simply evil and despicable, especially in this time of pandemic,” the PNP chief said.
WHO is watching
The World Health Organization (WHO) is now monitoring government’s response to reports that some Vaccines Global Access (Covax) facility are being “misused” in some local government units (LGU).
During an online press briefing on Monday, WHO Representative in the Philippines Rabindra Abeyasinghe urged the national government to resolve the matter.
“This is something that should be managed by the national government rather than WHO,” Abeyasinghe said.
“We would like to see this not happening,” he added.
He reiterated the said Covax facility vaccines should be primarily be used for health-care workers, senior citizens, and those with comorbidities.
WHO serves as the coordinator of the deployment of Covid-19 vaccines from the Covax facility to qualified countries, including the Philippines.
During the weekend, it was reported that slots in the distribution and inoculation of vaccines are being sold by unscrupulous individuals allegedly with links to LGUs in San Juan and Mandaluyong.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque called on concerned local officials to address the matter, especially since it could affect their chances of winning in the 2022 National and Local elections.
“If they fail on this, they will be held liable to the people. So they really have to do everything to fast-track the vaccination and the order priority will be followed,” Roque said.
NBI probe
JUSTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Monday said he has instructed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct a probe on the alleged selling of Covid-19 vaccination slots.
Guevarra made the order after the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) sought the NBI’s investigation on the illegal activity.
“I have already given verbal instruction last Friday to NBI acting chief Eric Distor to order its Cybercrime Division and other relevant units to immediately investigate the alleged illegal sale of anti-Covid 19 vaccines and/or vaccination slots, upon the request of MMDA Chair Benhur Abalos,” Guevarra said.
A 50-man team was formed by NBI to probe the alleged online selling of vaccines in some Metro Manila cities, it was learned.
“We are doing this to show the public that we are serious about these things. They are taking advantage of the pandemic. I hope that the culprit will be captured the soonest possible time. If the modus operandi is true, the PNP and NBI would be filing charges against individuals behind the ‘Bakuna for Sale.’ They could be slapped with estafa or bribery,” Abalos said as he also thanked Secretary Menardo Guevarra.
Abalos said he was set to meet with the NBI on Monday to seek assistance on the matter.
The PNP and various local government units have also agreed to look into the alleged illegal practice and charge those responsible.
Abalos earlier reminded the publics that all Covid-19 vaccines provided by the government are free.
Guevarra said he would issue a formal directive to the NBI to launch its probe.
With Samuel P. Medenilla
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