PNP, NBI determining if suspected COVID-19 vaccine seller has accomplices —Abalos

Investigators will determine if Kyle Bonifacio, the alleged seller of COVID-19 vaccine slots now in police custody, has accomplices, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairperson Benjamin Abalos Jr. said Thursday.

Abalos said the supposed selling of COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination slots is being investigated by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

"Dapat maimbestigahan talaga ito to get to the bottom of this, kung talaga bang mag-isa siya o talaga bang may kasama siya [This should really be investigated to determine if he has accomplices]," he said in an interview on Unang Balita.

Bonifacio, who surrendered to Abalos and his wife Mandaluyong Mayor Menchie Abalos on Wednesday, has denied the accusation against him. He has been turned over to the police.

Mandaluyong police said based on initial findings, Bonifacio appeared in a conversation on social media to be a person offering sale of vaccines.

Abalos said the police and the NBI are working "double time" in their investigation to determine if there is enough evidence to charge Bonifacio.

"Meron tayong certain time within which puwede ka i-detain, hindi dapat lalagpas doon [There is a specific length of time within which we can detain a person]," he said.

If guilty, Abalos said Bonifacio should be penalized in accordance with the law.

"Let this serve as a warning to everyone na wala dapat magbenta at wala dapat bumili [ng COVID-19 vaccines], pareho kayo makukulong," he said.

(Let this serve as a warning to everyone that no one should sell or buy COVID-19 vaccines, both of you will be held liable under the law.)

The police investigation on the alleged selling of vaccines and vaccination slots is being carried out by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.   —KBK, GMA News