INDIVIDUALS falsifying their Covid-19 reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test result will be facing serious legal charges, which would require them to bail a total amount up to P42,000, the Davao City Government warned anew.
The City Government issued a public advisory on Tuesday, January 5, citing legal basis against individuals who will be caught tampering their RT-PCR test results.
According to the City Government, persons who will be caught faking their test results, are in violation of Article 172 of the Revised Penal Code or the "Falsification by Private Individuals and Use of Falsified Documents" with a bail amount of P36,000, and Section 9 Paragraph B of the Republic Act 11332 or the "Tampering Of Records Or Intentionally Providing Misinformation" in relation to Executive Order (EO) 63-B with a bail amount of P6,000.
The statement was issued following the recent apprehension of 22 air passengers at the Davao International Airport. They were caught by the Airport Health Monitoring Team for submitting a fake RT-PCR test results upon verification. The figures were based on the latest data from the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) as of January 5, 2020.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defined RT-PCR as a diagnostic test that can detect Sars-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, in upper and lower respiratory specimens. It is designed to be used with an existing RT-PCR testing instrument commonly used to test for seasonal influenza virus.
This has been a mandatory test for some business establishments, and for travelers coming into Davao City.
In July 2020, the Davao City Government started to require all air passengers coming into Davao City through the Francisco Bangoy International Airport, or the Davao International Airport, with an RT-PCR test result taken from the point of origin taken between 24 to 48 hours.
Those who will fail to present any RT-PCR result upon arrival will be swabbed at the airport but will be transported to the waiting facility for their test result.
Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio had previously reiterated that it is "pointless" for passengers to submit a fake RT-PCR test because the city offers free testing at the airport.
In a previous virtual presser, City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) head and Airport Health Monitoring Team head Generose Tecson said some individuals intentionally tampered their RT-PCR result in order for them leave the airport as soon as they airport, while some were allegedly scammed by some testing laboratories.
These series of incidents prompted Davao City Councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta to file an ordinance penalizing individuals who will be submitting fake RT-PCR test results.
During the City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) meeting on December 29, 2020, Acosta said the occurrences of the violation may be attributed to the lack of information of the free RT-PCR test the City Government offers to returning residents or travelers upon arrival.
But she also said, some resulted in falsifying their test result for "personal interest."
"Perhaps, to hasten their release from mandatory quarantine which puts the health safety of Dabawenyos at stake in the midst of this pandemic," the councilor said.
This prompted the CPOC to propose for the crafting of the ordinance, which would put heavier penalties and sanctions for anyone who will be presenting tampered or falsified RT-PCR test results.
"This proposed ordinance shall also pose as a reminder to anyone that falsification of RT-PCR test results benefits no one, and shall only compromise your own, and your family's health if at any circumstances, a traveler is considered Covid-19 positive," Acosta said.