LOCAL TOURISTS NABBED FOR ‘FAKE’ RT-PCR TEST RESULTS

Three local tourists in Boracay Island were arrested in a hotel for allegedly presenting fake reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results at the Jetty Port Barangay Caticlan, Malay Aklan Wednesday morning.

Authorities identified the tourists as Benjamin Pastrana, 64, and Marichu Pastrana, 56, of Block 66 Lot 2, AFP Housing, Zone 5 Bulihan, Silang, Cavite; and Luisa Mingi, 55, of Blk 75 Lot 10, AFP Housing, Zone 5 Bulihan, SIlang, Cavite.

According to Police Lieutenant Colonel Don Dicksie De Dios, Malay Municpal Police Station chief, they received a phone call around 11: 55 am from the staff of Aklan Provincial Tourist Validating Office that the tourists presented fake COVID-19 test results.

The tourists entered Boracay through the Caticlan Jetty Port and checked-in at La Carmela de Boracay Hotel and Convention Center Corporation.

The three were transferred to Kalibo Quarantine Facility.

A case of violation of Republic Act 11332 (Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act) and Article 175 of the Revised Penal Code (Using false certificates) will be filed against the tourists, a report from the Police Regional Office-6 indicated.