PNP to track down perpetrators behind falsified negative COVID-19 test results

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar on Thursday ordered an investigation into the alleged sale of falsified negative COVID-19 test results.

In a statement, Eleazar said he directed the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) to lead the probe.

“We will not allow this. The PNP will track down and arrest the persons behind this kind of scam,” he said.

Eleazar 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.

She 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.

Eleazar advised the public to report to authorities if they have information on such activity and remind them not to patronize the illegal practice.

“We are asking for the public’s cooperation so that we can quickly arrest the culprits and shut down this activity which is not only illegal but poses a danger to public health as it would set back our efforts in curbing the spread of COVID-19,” he said.—Joviland Rita/AOL, GMA News