The government on Saturday reiterated its call to the public not to deal with unscrupulous individuals offering fake COVID-19 swab test results and other required documents relative to health and safety protocol.
On Wednesday, six persons engaged in falsification of RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) test results and IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force) travel authority were arrested in a police entrapment operation in Quiapo, Manila.
The suspects were identified as Jehan Cota, Jalilah Usman, Ahliyah Hadjijamil, Marie Ancia, Samanoden Ompia and Jhiad Hadjijamil. They were arrested inside Yang General Merchandise Shop located at No. 331 Bautista Street in Barangay 383, Zone 39 in Quiapo.
Recovered evidence from the suspects includes the P93,000 marked money used in the entrapment operation, two computer monitors and two central processing units, four mobile phones, one computer printer, assorted documents of Red Cross COVID-19 RT-PCR Swab Test Result, and IATF Travel Authority issued by the PNP.
National Capital Region Police Office Director Maj. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. said the operation stemmed from information regarding the illegal activity at the said establishment, where operators allegedly manufacture and sell COVID-19 Swab Test Result using the standard laboratory result form of Red Cross and IATF Travel Authority issued by the Philippine National Police.
“Such a malicious scheme was investigated, monitored and verified by our operatives. Upon finding the information to be meritable, an entrapment operation was ensued against the six suspects,” said Danao.
Danao commended the men from District Intelligence Division, Regional Intelligence Division, District Special Operation Unit, Counter-Terrorism Division-Intelligence Group, District Mobile Force Battalion, Regional Mobile Force Battalion, and Business Permit and Licensing Office of Manila for their successful operation resulting in the arrest of the suspects.
Danao said the suspects will be held liable for violating Article 172 (Falsification by Private Individuals and Use of Falsified Documents); Article 176 (Manufacturing and Possession of Instruments or Implements for Falsification); Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 and other possible offenses committed under the Revised Penal Code.
The NCRPO chief warned the public not to resort to unlawful means that will violate the standard health protocol and might bring risk to their health and of their family. He also encouraged the public to report the crooks who take undue advantage of the current crisis for personal gain.
“We call on the public not to entertain, and instead report this kind of modus to proper authorities,” said Danao.