MANILA – Malacañang warned on Tuesday that people who are faking coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccination cards will be imprisoned.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque warned the public in a press conference in Pampanga, not to take advantage of the relaxed rules on interzonal travel for fully-vaccinated people by submitting falsified Covid-19 vaccination cards.
“Nagbibigay po ako ng babala doon sa mga mamemeke. Iyan po ay isang public document. Kapag kayo ay nameke ng vaccination card (I am warning those who will fake [vaccine cards]. That is a public document. If you use a fake vaccination card), that’s falsification of a public document. Medyo mataas po ang kulong diyan (You will be jailed),” Roque said.
Roque released the statement after Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar warned police officers to be mindful of the possible use of fake vaccination cards following the relaxation of laws enabling fully-vaccinated people to travel interzonally.
Eleazar also assured that the PNP is collaborating with local government entities to enforce the recent guidelines released by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).
Roque, who is also the IATF-EID spokesperson, said the task force would address LGUs’ concerns over the potential use of fake immunization cards.
“We have heard concerns expressed by the LGUs pagdating dito (when it comes to this issue). Iyan ay tatalakayin ng ating IATF (The IATF will discuss that),” he said.
Fully vaccinated people will simply need to submit their vaccination card for interzonal travel and intrazonal movement under IATF-EID Resolution 124-5.
A fully-vaccinated individual must also be administered with vaccines that are included in the Emergency Use Authorization List or Compassionate Special Permit issued by Philippine Food and Drug Administration, or the World Health Organization’s Emergency Use Listing, according to the newest IATF-EID resolution.
The presentation of a vaccination card for interzonal movement, “shall be sufficient alternatives” for any testing requirements that the local government destination may impose, as per resolution.
Interzonal movement refers to the movement of people, goods, and services between zones under different community quarantine classifications.
