A MAN selling fake Covid-19 vaccination cards along Sanciangko St. in Barangay Kalubihan, Cebu City, was arrested on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021.
Clifford Arcilla, 46, was entrapped by Cebu City police operatives belonging to the Carbon Police Station at 2:20 p.m.
He will be facing charges for falsification of public documents that carries a penalty of imprisonment ranging from six months and one day to six years in addition to a court-imposed fine.
Police confiscated a laminator machine, one roll of plastic lamination film, a blank fake vaccination card and a completed fake vaccination card from the Arcilla.
Entrapment
Carbon Police Deputy Chief Lt. Albe Codilla said they acted on a report sent through text about fake vaccination cards being made by a man operating inside the Coast Pacific Building on Sanciangko St.
Two police poseur-buyers then visited Arcilla’s shop and ordered vaccination cards for P450. After filling up a form, they were told to wait for an hour.
The two cops then returned to headquarters to report the matter to Carbon Police Station Chief, Lt. Col. Kenneth Paul Albotra who then ordered Arcilla’s arrest.
Government authorities have appealed to unscrupulous individuals to stop producing fake vaccination cards as vaccination against the Covid-19 will benefit everyone.
Meanwhile, an ordinance penalizing “Fraudulent Acts in Connection with Covid-19 Vaccination” was filed last Aug. 25 by Cebu City Councilor Renato Osmeña Jr.
The proposed ordinance imposes a fine of P5,000 and two to six hours of community service for violators.
“Times like this, I already foresee that there are people who will take advantage of the situation. That’s why I introduced the proposed ordinance to make people aware not to take advantage of the pandemic to fool people,” Osmeña said in a mix of Cebuano and English.
Majority Floor Leader Raymond Garcia, chairman of the committee on laws, said as soon as Osmeńa’s proposal reaches his office, he will immediately make a committee report so that a public hearing can be set.
No logic
In Mandaue City, Mayor Jonas Cortes said he will not hesitate to file a case against those caught producing or buying fake vaccination cards.
Cortes said he was informed that Arcilla was making fake vaccination cards similar to those being issued by Mandaue City.
Cortes said they will file a case against him and apply the full extent of the law to penalize him.
“I don’t see the logic why some people resort to faking vaccination cards when government has a program where you can get your vaccination card for free and it is even beneficial at no cost, instead of paying for fake documents,” Cortes said in Cebuano.
Cortes said establishments or persons who doubt the legitimacy of a Mandaue City vaccination card presented to them can call the Mandaue Vaccination Operations Center (VOC) to confirm through hotline number (032) 230-4500 loc. 1120 or 1121.
Cortes urged the public to report anyone producing fake vaccination cards in the city to the nearest police station or to the Mandaue VOC. (PAC, KFD)