Flag-carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) reminded the public Tuesday, April 13 to only secure authentic coronavirus disease (COVID-19) test results from legitimate medical providers.
This, after PAL Spokesperson Cielo Villaluna bared that they were recently able to prevent boarding of at least 15 individuals after they presented fake COVID-19 negative test results at airport check-in counters.
The prospective passengers who were caught in Manila were bound for destinations such as Cotabato, Dipolog, and Zamboanga. They have been turned over to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Villaluna said most of the passengers were referred for inquest at the city prosecutor's office, while some were isolated at quarantine facilities pending their real swab test results.
"Safe travel is always the paramount concern, and airlines and authorities are vigilant in not accepting travelers holding fake RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) or antigen test results, for everybody's protection," she said.
Police said the erring passengers will be charged with falsification of public documents and violation of Republic Act (RA) 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act. If found guilty, the passengers may each be penalized with a ₱50,000 fine or imprisonment of up to six months.
"We reaffirm our commitment to work with government authorities in the fight against COVID-19, for the sake of safe air travel and a healthier Philippines," Villaluna added.