Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar has ordered an investigation into the alleged sale of falsified negative coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) test results.
Eleazar said in a statement that he instructed the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) to lead the investigation.
“We will not allow this. The PNP will track down and arrest the persons behind this kind of scam,” he said.
The order came after an alleged employee of a legitimate laboratory offered a woman instant negative RT-PCR results without undertaking a swab test.
The woman revealed that she was searching online for a home service of RT-PCR when an employee from the said laboratory messaged her privately.
The employee inquired if she wants to take swab testing or simply receive negative results.
The woman questioned the offer and asked if it was a scam, however, the employee told her the results came from the clinic and were already encoded in their system.
Eleazar advised the public not to support such illegal practice and report to authorities if they encounter similar events.
“We are asking for the public’s cooperation so that we can quickly arrest the culprits and shut down this activity which is not only illegal but poses a danger to public health as it would set back our efforts in curbing the spread of COVID-19,” he said. Ronald Espartinez