Eleazar orders review of cases filed vs whistle-blower on vaccine sale

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar last night ordered a review of the cases which the police filed against COVID-19 vaccine slot for sale whistle-blower Nina Ellaine Dizon-Cabrera.

Eleazar directed the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Anti-Cybecrime Group (ACG) to review the cases after he personally read Cabrera's statement on her social media account and was made aware of her television interview where she aired her side on the alleged sale of vaccine slots.

"It is in this regard that I ordered both the directors of the CIDG and the ACG to review the cases that were filed against her before the Mandaluyong prosecutor’s office to check if there were lapses in the conduct of investigation and preparation of the cases, " he said in a statement.

He assured Cabrera that he would monitor the actions to be taken by the CIDG and the ACG on his directive.

“I will personally monitor the progress of my order, and to correct if there are things that need correcting in the interest of truth and justice,” Eleazar said.

Cabrera had earlier said she was baffled on the PNP's filing of cases against her when she was the one who exposed the scam.

The CIDG filed complaints against Cabrera and two others for estafa, violation of Republic Act 11032 or the Anti-Red Tape Act and RA 10175 or the Cybecrime Prevention Act.

The PNP included Cabrera in the charge sheet after a probe by the ACG showed she also allegedly offered 50 to 100 vaccination slots in Mandaluyong.

Similar charges were filed against Cyle Cedric Bonifacio and Melvin Gutierrez.