Passengers caught using fake Covid-19 test results at the airport face penalties of up to P50,000 or imprisonment for one to six months, the Philippine Airlines said.
The flag carrier advised the public to secure authentic Covid-19 test results from legitimate medical providers.
“Philippine Airlines (PAL) was recently able to prevent the boarding of at least 15 individuals for presenting fraudulent Covid-19 test results at airport check-in counters,” PAL said in a statement.
The passengers caught in Manila were bound for Cotabato, Dipolog, and Zamboanga, and turned over to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Most of the passengers were referred for inquest at the city prosecutor’s office, while others have been isolated at quarantine facilities pending their real swab test results.
The airlines said that the apprehended passengers would be charged with falsification of public documents and violation of Republic Act 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act.
“Safe travel is always the paramount concern, and airlines and authorities are vigilant in not accepting travelers holding fake RT-PCR or Antigen test results, for everybody’s protection,” PAL said. Arvee Christine R. Biscocho