Print shop fakes COVID-19 test results for P25

A netizen exposed on Thursday a print shop that fakes COVID-19 rapid test results for only P25.

According to Mariz Umali’s report on “24 Oras,” an alias Shin discovered the illegal activity of the print shop while she was waiting in line.

“Nakita ko unang una, caps lock, ‘Negative.’ So binasa ko po siya, COVID. Ta’s nakita ko po pinapalitan po ‘yung name no’ng nasa result po,” she said.

“No’ng pinrint na po ‘yun nakita ko ‘yung mismong original copy, iba ‘yung pangalan na nando’n sa nando’n sa may screen. Aware po ako na hindi puwede mag-print ang kahit sino ng gano’n e,” Shin added.

She decided to secretly photograph and post on social media the monitor of the print shop showing the fake COVID-19 test result as well as the female employee manning the computer.

The print shop staff who was photographed in the now-viral post confirmed that she doctored a COVID-19 test result.

“Pina-edit niya lang po… na puwede po palitan ‘yung name at saka age, ‘yun lang po,” the woman said, referring to the customer.

“Nagsabi na po ako sa kaniya bawal po e tapos pina-edit niya po,” she added.

The employee also said she only charged the customer P25, which is what they charge for their editing services.

“Sorry na po, hindi ko na po uulitin ‘yun,” the employee said in tears as she lamented the hateful comments she received from netizens.

Coronavirus testing czar Vince Dizon warned the public against faking COVID-19 test results.

“Hindi po pupuwedeng mameke ng resulta, hindi puwedeng magbago ng resulta. Mabigat po ang magiging penalties para sa ganiyang mga violation kaya nanawagan tayo sa ating mga kababayan, ‘wag na ‘wag po nating gagawin ‘yan,” he stressed.

The Quezon City Criminal Investigation and Detection Group probed the incident following a complaint by the doctor and clinic whose names were on the original COVID-19 test result.

After pretending to request for an edited rapid test result, the operatives confirmed that the print shop was illegally faking documents.

They also learned that the establishment did not have a business permit.

GMA News has sought the doctor for comment but has not yet received a response. —Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News