Duterte orders cops, military to go after fake COVID-19 testing centers

President Rodrigo Duterte, as part of efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease has ordered the Philippine National Police to go after centers that churn out fake COVID-19 tests.

"It is only with everyone’s full cooperation that the nation can effectively contain the spread of COVID-19 and triumph against the pandemic. With these concerted efforts, I am confident that we will emerge a strong nation," he said during the inauguration of the new port operations building at the port of Dumaguete City on Thursday.

He added that the key to curb the spread of the disease is to conduct tests.

However, the President pointed out that the problem is "medical" or the conduct of laboratory tests.

"Walang ibang sikreto diyan - swabbing, so that you would know. The problem is I have to talk to the medical... Kasi hindi ko malaman kung --- if there is something that is really stupid going around kasi 'yong iba magpa-swab ka, positive ka. But just to confirm, people go to another swabbing station at magpa-swab, negative, and that is contributing to the --- parang ano ng tao," he said.

"They are not comfortable with the system that we are having now. So I have to get to call these people again and sabihin ko, ano ba talaga itong p***** --- ? Kasi false positive, false negative, hindi mo malaman ano ba ito totohanan o iba 'yan diyan peke o... So, I will have to order the police again," he added.

Duterte said he has chosen the PNP and the soldiers to go after these centers that churn out fake test results.

"Wala akong ibang mauutusan, hindi mo naman mautusan 'yang mga doktor. I have to order the police and the military to find out and arrest these people," he said, adding that his order includes those who purchase vaccines.

"At saka 'yang nagpapabili ng bakuna. Nako, huwag ka sanang mahuli. ‘Pag nahuli ka, ipatawag kita sa Malacañang," said Duterte. --BAP, GMA News