ILOILO – Fake the results of your reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests and suffer the corresponding sanctions.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. urged Ilonggos to never resort to this illegal activity as ports of entry and the receiving local government units can easily detect such.
“Dapat indi nila paghimuon kay kon tuod-tuoron mo nga i-prosecute, makasohan sila. Likawan gid nila ‘na,” Defensor told Panay News.
“Abi mo RT-PCR test lang ‘na, importante na nga dokumento,” he added.
Anyone found faking RT-PCR results will face a charge for falsification of public documents.
Above all, Defensor pointed out, this illegal activity is putting lives of every Ilonggo at risk.
“Magpauli sa ila balay indi mabal-an kon bala safe sila,” he said, pertaining to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Earlier, a family who returned to Santa Barbara town from Cebu on April 24 was caught with fake RT-PCR test results.
The parents and children, two other minors and the family driver entered Iloilo via the port in Estancia town where local authorities checked their documents.
An RT-PCR document was found lacking of quick response (QR) code.
Authorities informed the provincial capitol, which in turn contacted the local government unit (LGU) of Santa Barbara.
The LGU made verifications with the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu. The hospital said it had no record issuing the questioned test result.
The family will now face charges for falsification of documents.
To note, the provincial government still requires inbound travelers, particularly returning residents and authorized persons outside residence (APORs), for a negative RT-PCR test result 72 hours prior to entering the province.
Here are the requirements for returning residents:
* approved S-Pass (Safe, Swift & Smart Passage). S-Pass is an online system which can be accessed through https:// s-pass.ph
* negative result of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test not earlier than 72 hours before travel
* notice of acceptance/coordination from barangay/municipality of travel destination (can be secured through the municipal S-Pass focal person)
* valid government issued identification
For APORs:
* approved S-Pass (Safe, Swift & Smart Passage)
* RT-PCR negative result not earlier than 72 hours before travel
* travel order/ itinerary of travel/mission order/certificate of employment
* notice of acceptance/coordination from barangay/municipality of travel destination (can be secured through the municipal S-Pass Focal Person)
* valid government issued identification./PN
