Alleged COVID-19 vaccine seller surrenders, denies accusation

The suspect in the alleged selling of COVID-19 vaccine surrendered Wednesday to Mandaluyong Mayor Menchie Abalos and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benhur Abalos Jr.

The suspect identified as Kyle Bonifacio denied the allegation.

"Hindi po talaga ako nagbenta but 'yung resibo po na 'yun ay kusang bigay po sa akin nung taong 'yun," Bonifacio said in a press conference. He refused to give other details, saying he will just give his testimony before the police.

He also refused to name the person who gave him the receipt as proof of purchase of vaccines.

"Confident po ako na wala po akong kasalanan dito. At lumutang po talaga ako sa publiko para matapos na itong issue na ito (I'm confident that I am not at fault here. But I've appeared to the public just to end this issue)" he said.

Mandaluyong City Police chief Police Colonel Gauvin Mel Unos said based on initial findings, Bonifacio appeared in a conversation on social media to be a person offering sale of vaccines.

"Kung makita po 'yung social media, lumutang na talaga 'yung pangalan niya... and other personalities na nandoon (If we will look at the social media, his name appeared... as well as other personalities)," Unos said.

Mayor Abalos, meanwhile, revealed that Bonifacio's father is a barangay councilor, who called her to surrender his son.

She said the councilor was surprised when the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) went to their residence for investigation. Abalos said the councilor was not aware of the transactions of his son.

Earlier in the day, the Philippine National Police issued a subpoena against the suspect.

"Wala pong kinalaman dito 'yung tatay ko. Ako lamang po ang involved dito at wala nang ibang tao (My father has nothing to do with this. I'm the only one involved and no other persons)," Bonifacio said.

"First and foremost po wala po akong koneksiyon sa LGU dahil isa lamang po akong batang estudyante at malabo po akong magkaroon ng ganoong koneksiyon (First and foremost, I don't have connections with the LGU because I am merely a young student and it is improbable for me to have that kind of connection)," he said when pressed regarding his participation in the alleged vaccine-for-sale transaction.

When asked to confirm whether he offered vaccine slots through his social media, Bonifacio replied: "I have the right to remain silent."—Jamil Santos/AOL, GMA News