By Jennifer P. Rendon
Another group of tourists were found to have presented alleged fake reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results for COVID-19 just to enter Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan.
Four of them were apprehended on February 12, 2021 at Henann Garden Resort.
Four more were collared the following day. Three of them were staying at Henann Lagoon Resort and the other one at the Discovery Shores Boracay.
All of them presented RT-PCR results which were allegedly issued by St. Luke’s Medical Center.
The arrest happened weeks after five tourists from Metro Manila also presented “fake” RT-PCR results when they entered the island. Three of them later tested positive for COVID-19.
Mayor Floribar Bautista of Malay, Aklan lamented that another batch of tourists presented fraudulent test results just to enter the island.
“May mga tao talaga that would test the law. We’re glad that they were caught,” Bautista said.
On Thursday, Bautista said he would make a formal recommendation to the Sangguniang Bayan of Malay to pass a resolution declaring as persona non grata or unwelcome persons those who present fake swab test results.
Once the resolution is approved, persons who will be caught faking their swab test results cannot enter Boracay Island anymore.
In January 2021, around 12,000 tourists entered the island. Since February 1 until February 15, the local government said tourist arrivals totaled 8,000.
“So, it’s taxing on our part din to check the swab test results of around 400 tourists a day,” Bautista said.
A negative RT-PCR result released within 72 hours of travel is a requisite for tourists who wish to go to Boracay.
After presenting their result, they are given a provisional quick reaction (QR) code while their test results are being validated.
Just like the others who were caught with falsified RT-PCR tests, Bautista said the eight tourists will also be charged for violation of Republic Act 11332 (Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act).
In December 2020, police and health authorities also arrested six tourists from Metro Manila for faking their RT-PCR results.
Bautista said they sent a resolution to the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force to allow antigen test, which is a COVID-19 test that detects certain proteins in the virus, instead of RT-PCR tests for tourists.
Antigen tests are immunoassays that detect the presence of a specific viral antigen, which implies current viral infection.
Until now, Bautista said they are waiting for the task force’s go signal to allow the antigen test.
The local government explored the use of antigen test following the slump in the number of tourists who visited Boracay due to the high cost of the RT-PCR test.
