2 Rizal security division staffers arrested for faking COVID results

Operatives of the Antipolo Police on Saturday arrested two staff members of the Rizal provincial security division for faking coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) test results.

According to Lei Alviz’s report on “24 Oras Weekend,” authorities retrieved fake COVID-19 test results, marked money, and a motorcycle from the suspects identified as Arnel Ignacio and Edgardo Juanilo.

The entrapment operation was conducted following the complaint of Jonathan Berutso.

Berutso went to the capital for rapid testing as he was going to apply for a job. However, when he asked the guard where the line for the testing was, the guard offered to fake his test results.

“‘Huwag ka na pumilya doon, dito ka na lang sa akin. I-negative natin ‘yung result mo’," Berutso said, quoting the guard.

He said the guard asked for P1,700 for the fake results as well as an additional P200 for food.

Berutso did not follow the guard’s advice and still lined up for the rapid test. He tested positive for the illness and immediately underwent a swab test by the nurse.

After this, he agreed to make a deal with the guard. However, he said he did not pay.

Berutso later filed a complaint at the police station.

“Huwag nang tularan ang ginawa ng dalawang ito. Kawani pa naman sila ng gobyerno natin na sana sila ang nangunguna upang protektahan ang mamamayan natin. Ngunit sila pa ang pasimuno, lalong-lalo na sa pamemeke ng mg resulta ng COVID-19 test,” Police Lieutenant Colonel Jose Arandia said.

The suspects declined to comment. They will face charges for robbery, extortion, and falsification of public documents.

Meanwhile, the victim tested negative for COVID-19 in his swab test. — Joahna Lei Casilao/DVM, GMA News