PNP warns of stiff penalties for individuals using fake vaccine cards

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Saturday warned individuals using fake vaccination cards to skip border control that they would face stiff penalties, including imprisonment.

PNP chief Police General Dionardo Carlos issued the warning following reports of individuals presenting fake vaccination cards at checkpoints.

“Don’t ever attempt to falsify the vaccination card or else you’ll face raps. Remember, this is an offense under the Republic Act 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases Law,” Carlos said.

“If you are caught falsifying, tampering, or using a fake vaccination card, you will be slapped with penalties including a P20,000 to P50,000 fine or imprisonment of one to six months, or both,” he added.

Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani earlier shared on her Facebook page photos of two confiscated fake vaccination cards presented at border checkpoints by two individuals.

Authorities became doubtful after observing that the first and second doses only had a 10-day gap.

The PNP has access to an electronic verification system to check if an individual was already vaccinated through the database of the respective local government units (LGUs) or the Department of Health (DOH).

“Since more LGUs are now under stricter restrictions, chief executives may opt to implement the ‘no vaccination, no entry’ policy in establishments or entry points, including checkpoints,” Carlos said.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has issued a “no vaccination, no ride/entry” in public transport policy in the National Capital Region (NCR) while the area is under Alert Level 3 or higher. This will be fully implemented starting on Monday, January 17.

A full vaccination status can be proven by either physical or digital copies of local government unit-issued vaccine card, Department of Health-issued vaccine certification, or any Inter-Agency Task Force-prescribed document with valid government-issued ID with picture and address.

The government has placed Metro Manila and around 50 other areas under Alert Level 3 from January 16 to 31 amid rising COVID-19 cases. — VBL, GMA News