A total of 142 travelers were apprehended in Zamboanga City for presenting falsified RT-PCR test results for a period of one month, according to the City Tourism Office.
City Tourism Officer Sarita Sebastian said the travelers were apprehended at the Zamboanga City International Airport and at the local seaport from July to August 18 this year.
The list includes eight BARMM policemen and an employee of the Philippine Coast Guard.
The travelers were ordered to return back to their points of origin and asked to pay a fine amounting to P5,000.
Those who are forced to stay overnight due to lack of flights are made to pay for their hotel accommodation.
The sanctions are based on Executive Order No. 674-2021 issued on August 2, 2021 by Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar.
Zamboanga City is observing a strict “No RT-PCR test results, No Entry” policy for both local and foreign travelers.
The policy has been intensified and is also being implemented for land travelers at both the city’s east and west coasts to avoid the possible spread of the Delta variant.