PNP units tag suspect behind ‘vaccine for sale’ scheme

MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said it has now a “person of interest” over the reported sale of certain coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine brands and vaccination slots.

PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said the directors of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) immediately conducted an investigation to identify those behind the scheme.

“Based on the initial result of the investigation, we have already identified at least one person who offered his high school friend two brands of vaccines for a price ranging from PHP12,000 to PHP15,500 through a social media messaging app,” Eleazar said in a statement.

He said the same person has been claiming that he has contacts in the cities of San Juan and Mandaluyong, which is why he could easily get vaccines and even guarantee slots for the vaccination and even presented deposit slips as proof of his previous ‘transactions’.

“Our CIDG and ACG investigators are now zeroing in on this person, although he has already deactivated all his social media accounts, and we assure the public that he will face the full force of the law for this kind of illegal activity,” Eleazar said.

Eleazar, meanwhile, reminded the people that the government’s Covid-19 vaccination program is free and that any attempt to engage in selling vaccines or vaccination slots or being the beneficiaries of these illegal activities will put them in trouble.

Meanwhile, Eleazar added the public can report illegal activities via the E-Sumbong platform that includes the PNP’s official hotlines (0919-160-1752 and 0917-847-5757), social media accounts, and email address e-sumbong@pnp.govph

“We assure you of our quick response. Let us work together to put a stop to these criminal practices which are plainly and simply evil and despicable, especially in this time of the pandemic,” he stressed.