Twenty-eight individuals were caught in Manila for allegedly using suspicious medical certificates to get themselves included in the COVID-19 vaccine priority list.
Some of them were already in line for inoculation but health workers were quick to notice the questionable certificates. Twenty-one of them are Chinese nationals.
According to the Manila Police District, the documents certifying they have illnesses have displayed the same name of a physician and prescription for medicine.
The police are now coordinating with the Chinese Embassy and Bureau of Immigration to identify their status in the country. They are also verifying the authenticity of the said certificates.
“Tuloy-tuloy ang imbestigasyon namin. Kasi ngayon pa lang kami magre-request ng mga status (Our investigation will continue. We have just requested for [their] status now),” MPD District Director PBGen. Leo Francisco said.
Francisco added that they are searching for the clinic that was indicated in the certificate. The individuals were released pending the result of the probe.
In case the documents are found fake, they may face falsification of public documents charges while the Chinese nationals may be deported. – Report from Bea Bernardo/AG-JBB
