The Philippine National Police (PNP) has filed a string of criminal charges against three people who were tagged in the alleged selling of coronavirus vaccines and vaccination slot after getting enough evidence based on the joint investigation of its two units.
Charged were Cyle Cedric Bonifacio, Melvin Gutierrez and Nina Elliane Dizon-Cabrera. The criminal cases that include stafa under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code; and violation of Section 21-H of Republic Act 11032 or the Anti-Red Tape Law of 2007 and Section 6 of Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, were filed before the Mandaluyong City Prosecutor’s Office
The controversy regarding the alleged sale of vaccines and vaccine slots came after a classmate of Bonifcio posted in a social media about possible anomaly in the vaccination after he was offered vaccine for a price range of P12,000 to P15,500.
PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar immediately ordered the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) to conduct investigation which eventually forced Bonifacio to surrender.
During the investigation, Bonifacio allegedly squealed the name of Gutierrez as his contact at the Mandaluyong City Hall and identified the latter as the one who would help him secure the vaccine and vaccination slot. Gutierrez is a fire volunteer.
According to the PNP Anti-Cybecrime Group CG, Cabrera was included in the charge sheet after the investigation showed she offered 50 to 100 vaccination slots in Mandaluyong City. The offer, the ACG said, showed intent to sell and alleged involvement in the illegal activity.
He said that there may be others involved in the vaccine/vaccination slots-for-sale scheme but assured that the CIDG and the ACG have not stopped their probe on the matter.
"This should serve as a warning to all those who would dare cheat the system of national vaccination. We also want to remind the public anew that the vaccination is free," said Eleazar.