THE Davao City Government has already apprehended around 60 individuals for presenting falsified reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results upon arrival at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport, also known as the Davao International Airport (DIA).
Based on the data provided by the Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) from November 13, 2020 to March 29, 2021, out of the 60 individuals intercepted, 32 cases have been filed, three individuals are up for inquest, while 25 other arrested individuals will face charges through regular filing.
According to the report, there were also five uniformed personnel arrested for submitting falsified Covid-19 swab test results.
PSSCC head Angel Sumagaysay said in a press conference on Wednesday, March 31, that most of those arrested were travelers from Manila and Cebu.
"Itong inbound passenger, ating hinihigpitan ngayon, lalo na (We are strictly monitoring all inbound passengers right now, especially) from NCR [National Capital Region] and Cebu," Sumagaysay said.
Currently, there are four individuals detained for falsification of RT-PCR test results, while 23 others were released on bail.
Since the city reimposed the mandatory RT-PCR test at DIA beginning March 23, Sumagaysay said the city was able to apprehend 10 passengers for presenting a falsified result.
This is in accordance with City Ordinance 0477-21, which the Davao City Government reinstated requiring individuals to submit a negative RT-PCR test result taken within 24 to 72 hours prior to entry into the city via DIA.
He said they will be facing charges for violation of Republic Act 11332, also known as the “Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act,” for not declaring health status.
Sumagaysay advised the public to also check the legitimacy of the clinic before getting a swab test after one passenger tested positive for the disease.
“Naa ta’y isa ka case nga iyang gi-edit ang result, ang gipakita niya kay negative tong gi-verify kung asa sya nagpa-swab and it turned out nga positive sya (We have a case that the passenger tampered his test result and when we verified where he got his test, it turned out that he is positive),” he said.
He also said a prominent politician residing outside Davao Region who entered via DIA and is planning to travel by land to the neighboring region was also one of those apprehended for submitting a fake RT-PCR test.
"This proves walang pili ating apprehension sa airport -- mapa-private ka, mapa-public officials, mapa-uniform [personnel], lahat. Para at least, makita nila na pantay din yung treatment natin (that we are not selective in apprehending anyone in the airport -- whether you’re a private individual, public official, or even uniformed personnel. At least we could show it to them that everyone will undergo the same treatment)," Sumagaysay said.
City Health Office Acting Head Dr. Ashley Lopez reiterated the importance of reimposing the mandatory RT-PCR test as a preventive measure from the possible surge of cases in the city.
City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) head and Airport Health Monitoring Team head Generose Tecson, in a previous report, warned passengers from attempting to falsify their test result as this could endanger not only themselves, but also other passengers.
Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio also reminded Davao-bound passengers not to falsify their documents because it will just put them and other people in danger.
“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 dal-on sa facility, filing of case will follow (If you presented a fake RT-PCR, you will be arrested immediately. You will pay for your testing and wait for the result. If you tested negative, you will be directed for an inquest, right away. If positive, you will be sent to the isolation facility while filing of the case will follow),” Duterte-Carpio said.