At least three fake vaccination cards were seized from a 46-year-old man after police conducted an entrapment operation in Barangay Kalubihan, Cebu City last August 30, 2021. | file photo
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Central Visayas (CIDG-7) and the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) is ready to monitor fake vaccination cards, especially as Cebu City is mulling for the inclusion of vax cards in travels as expanded perks for vaccinated individuals should the city be downgraded to Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ).
The proliferation of fake vaccination cards here is a growing concern as some people might take advantage of this due to the perks given to vaccinated individuals.
READ: Inclusion of vaccine perks mulled for bars, travels
The Cebu City’s Emergency Operations Center is coordinating with local police and the CIDG-7 in monitoring those who make and sell fake vaccination cards in the city.
To recall, last August 30, Carbon police arrested a 46-year-old man after he was caught selling vaccination cards in Sanciangko Street, Barangay Kalubihan, Cebu City.
The three vaccination cards seized from a certain Clifford Arcilla of barangay Talamban here cost P450 each. However, Cebu City Councilor David Tumulak, at that time, said that these faked cards were from Mandaue City.
READ: Man arrested for “selling” fake vaccination cards in Cebu City
Police Colonel Ireneo Dalogdog, chief of the CIDG-7, said that they are still waiting for the formal order from their higher headquarters but they are ready to help in monitoring these in Cebu City and Central Visayas.
However, they are also concerned that each local government has its distinct designs and forms of vaccination cards, making it difficult for them to monitor the whole region, unlike in Cebu City that has its respective QR code ready to be scanned instantly.
For his part, Police Lieutenant Colonel Wilbert Parilla, deputy director for operations of the CCPO, said that they already met with the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), adding that the Department of Health in Central Visayas will create a unified vaccination card for those vaccinated individuals in the region.
With this, Parilla said that they expect an easier way of identifying fake cards due to its safety features.
Parilla said that they already have monitored some of those who make and sell fake cards in Cebu City. He said they will be targeted in their coming operations.
Whoever is arrested for this illegal activity, Parilla said, will face violations for Falsification of Public Document and Usurpation of Authority.
/bmjo