BORACAY – Justice secretary Menardo Guevarra ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to probe incidents of falsification of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) test results in this island.
A negative COVID-19 test result via a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) swab is a pre-entry requirement to the island.
In his Department Order No. 88 issued on April 23, Guevarra told the NBI to prosecute the persons behind the fraudulent practice.
NBI officer-in-charge Eric Distor should also submit a progress report on the case build-up, Guevarra added.
Aside from the negative COVID-19 test results, travellers also have to show proof of their hotel bookings in accredited accommodation establishments.
Over 100 tourists were caught with fake COVID-19 test results since the reopening of Boracay Island to domestic tourists in October 2020.
These fake test results were detected at the airport in Barangay Caticlan, Malay, Aklan and seaports.
Some tourists who submitted fake test results subsequently tested positive for coronavirus disease. They were bought to quarantine facilities in Kalibo, Aklan.
Malay acting mayor Frolibar Bautista warned erring tourists they could be declared “persona non grata” and charged before the Aklan Provincial Prosecutor’s Office for falsification of documents./PN
