Probe ordered on fake swab test results in Boracay ordered probed

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate the proliferation of fake reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results in Boracay.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on April 13 issued Department Order 88, authorizing the NBI to conduct an investigation and case build-up on the proliferation of falsified RT-PCR test results allegedly used by tourists to enter the island resort.

Guevarra wants the NBI, through officer-in-charge Eric Distor, to file appropriate charges against those found responsible for the forgery.

He ordered Distor to submit reports on the progress of the investigation.

The provincial government of Aklan sought the help of the DOJ after several tourists were caught presenting fake swab test results in order to enter Boracay, according to provincial administrator Selwyn Ibarreta.

A negative swab test result was required when Boracay was opened to tourist from outside Western Visayas.

As of February, 138 people had been caught presenting fake RT-PCR results.

The Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force also allowed tourists to present negative saliva test results.

The provincial government pushed for the saliva test as this is cheaper than the RT-PCR test.