CEBU CITY—The Department of Health-Central Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH CVCHD) has warned the public to be vigilant against the proliferation of fake Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test results.
 
The DOH-CVHD confirmed to have received reports of falsified or tampered RT-PCR test results.
 
“A tampered or falsified test result benefits no one, and can compromise yourself, your family and the community,” the agency said in a statement.
 
The DOH-CVHD said test results can be considered falsified or tampered if one of the following occurs: one that is presented but no actual testing was conducted; the report reflects the name of another person different from the actual presenter; when the testing center is not licensed nor accredited to perform RT-PCR; when the signatories are not from the testing center; when the details provided is false such as incorrect address, or contact details to evade monitoring and isolation.
 
“Any of the above action constitutes a violation of Republic Act 11332 “Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act and a Violation of article 172 of the revised penal code “falsification by private individuals and use of falsified documents,” DOH CVCHD said.
 
Imprisonment awaits individuals who will be caught violating the law, the agency said.
 
“We enjoin everyone to stay vigilant and to report such actions to the DOH CVCHD Regional Epidemiology & Surveillance Unit at 0956 426 2555 or 0922 397 2334,” it said.
 
DOH CVCHD’s warning more than two weeks after the National Bureau of Investigation-Central Visayas (NBI-7) arrested two men for allegedly producing and selling fake swab test results.
 
Rakim Busara was arrested while producing the face swab test results in a shop in Cebu City, while his alleged cohort Rogelio Nebres was caught selling the fake document in pier area.