Persons patronizing falsified negative swab test results could also face sanctions —COVID-19 TF spox

National Task Force Against COVID-19 (NTF) spokesperson Restituto Padilla on Thursday discouraged the public from patronizing scammers offering falsified negative swab test results.

Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita, Padilla warned that individuals who patronize such offers may be penalized.

“Hinihikayat po ang ating mga kababayan na sana huwag pong tatangkilikin ang ganitong practices [We are encouraging our countrymen not to patronize these practices],” he said.

According to Padilla, faking swab test result amid the national health emergency is a criminal act.

Padilla made the statement after an alleged employee of a legitimate laboratory reportedly offered a woman instant negative RT-PCR results without having to go through the process of swabbing at all.

The woman said she inquired for the home service of RT-PCR in a social media post of a laboratory when an alleged employee suddenly messaged her privately.

She added that the employee asked her if she wants to undergo swab testing or just get instant negative results instead.

Elma then asked if it was a scam, but the employee told her the results came directly from the clinic and are already encoded in the system.

Padilla said the name of the laboratory has been forwarded to the Department of Health. According to hi,, concerned agencies are already conducting an investigation into the incident.

Meanwhile, Hero Laboratories — the laboratory in the report — denied the suspect was its employee.

Padilla advised the over 200 certified COVID-19 test laboratories to monitor their personnel and prevent them from using their name and facility to commit such crime.

He also encouraged the public and local government units to report similar incidents. —KBK, GMA News