Around 60 individuals have been apprehended by authorities in Davao City for presenting falsified reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction () test results at the Davao International Airport (DIA).
Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) head Angel Sumagaysay said that most of them were travelers from Manila and Cebu.
Based on the data of PSSCC shared by the City Information Office (CIO) 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 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.
The apprehensions covered from the period of November 13, 2020 to March 29, 2021.
“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,” Sumagaysay said.
Currently, there are four individuals detained for falsification of RT-PCR test results while 23 others were released on bail.
The data also showed five uniformed personnel arrested for submitting falsified COVID-19 swab test results.
Sumagaysay added that there is also an individual who edited his test result and when we verified it turned out that he is positive.
The Davao Aviation Security Unit (AVSEU), Airport Health Monitoring Team, as well as the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), has been consistently monitoring Davao City-bound passengers, especially in verifying the authenticity of the documents presented by travelers.
On Monday, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio reminded Davao City-bound air passengers not to falsify their documents or else they will undergo inquest proceedings.
“Automatic, pag-fake imong gi-present, dili na mi maminaw sa explanation, i-hold kana deresto and bayran nimo imong testing, hulaton ang test result nimo. Kung negative ka, deresto na sa inquest. Kung positive ka, deresto na ka dan-on sa facility, filing of case will follow,” she said.
This is in line with the re-imposition of the City Ordinance No. 0477-21 requiring individuals to submit a negative RT-PCR test result prior to entry in Davao City via DIA.
