As more people are lining up at vaccination sites around the country to get vaccinated or boosted for COVID-19, there is a rise in the number of fake vaccination cards as reported in the news which, in my view, is most likely related to the implementation of the No Vax, No Ride policy as well as the imposed restrictions on unvaccinated individuals.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the first Manila Bulletin report about fake vaccination cards. Some parts in boldface…
The Pasay City police arrested a graphic artist who was allegedly the source of fake vaccination cards proliferating in the city and being sold to unvaccinated commuters, Tuesday afternoon.
Col. Cesar Paday-os, Pasay City police chief, identified the suspects as Marcelo Cabansag, 28, a resident of 366 F. Rosario St., Barangay 59, Pasay City.
Paday-os said Cabansag is now detained at the Pasay City police custodial facility and is facing charges for violation of falsification of public documents in relation to RA 11332, Sec. 9 paragraph (b).
He said Cabansag was arrested in an entrapment operation at about 5:30 p.m. at No. 32 P. Arnaiz Avenue, Libertad, Barangay 94 Zone 11, Pasay City.
The city police chief said Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano came out with an order for the arrest of Cabansag after learning that he was the main source of fake vaccination cards proliferating in the city.
The police arrested two public transportation barkers identified as Alex Bagayan, 39, and Eddie Garcia, 46, on Monday at about 6:30 o.m. along Apelo Cruz St., Barangay 151, Malibay, Pasay City for selling fake vaccination card for P500 each to unvaccinated commuters.
Paday-os said the arrested barkers pinpointed Cabansag as the person behind the printing of fake vaccination cards that are being sold to them at P100 each.
He said Cabansag admitted that he already printed around 50 pieces of fake vaccination cards this January after the “no vaccination card, no ride” police was implemented.
And now here is a look at another Manila Bulletin news report about fake vaccination cards, only this time the story is set in Quezon City. Some parts in boldface…
Police arrested a woman for allegedly selling fake COVID-19 vaccination cards in Barangay E. Rodriguez, Cubao, Quezon City on Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 26.
Lt. Col. Elizabeth D. Jasmin, Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Cubao Station (PS 7) commander, said the suspect, identified as Huwela Mifuel Gabrido, 51, was nabbed in an entrapment operation.
According to the police, they launched the operation after receiving a tip from a concerned citizen. They were able to buy from the suspect a fake vaccination card for P15,000, which was paid through G-Cash.
Gabrido, who came with two cohorts, was arrested upon meet-up with a police poseur-buyer at No. 44 Cambridge St., Brgy. E. Rodriguez at around 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
However, her two cohorts escaped.
As seen in the above excerpts of the two news reports, the making and selling fake vaccination cards is unlawful. It shows that making money using illegal methods will lead to trouble and punishment under the justice system. There are people out there who are daring to take advantage of the unvaccinated people who in turn are willing to pay a lot of money to obtain an illegal item to get through the restrictions. As for the unvaccinated, using a fake vaccination card itself will make them violators of varied rules and regulations.
To be clear, the issue of fake vaccination cards here in the Philippines is not new. In fact, there were computer shops in Muntinlupa City that engaged in producing and selling fake vaccination cards. For added insight about the issue of fake vaccination cards, watch these Philippines news videos.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think local government units and police officers must do to fight the spread of fake vaccination cards? Are there unvaccinated people in your local community who are eager to obtain fake vaccination cards even though it will put them at risk of getting into trouble with the law?
You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.
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Author Carlo Carrasco 