2 nabbed in Tondo for selling vax slots
The National Bureau of Investigation-Special Action Unit (NBI-SAU) arrested two persons in Tondo, Manila for selling COVID-19 vaccination slots.
NBI Officer-in-Charge Eric B. Distor identified the suspects as Benjie Lagasca Montaos and Arturo Flores Magtalas.
Their arrest stemmed from a report regarding an alleged illegal sale of vaccination slots to POGO employees by a certain “Benjie,” which turned out to be suspect Montaos.
According to the information received, Montaos offered to personally assist the individuals who wish to avail the vaccination in Manila.
He further said that in order for these individuals to get vaccinated, they should each possess a stub or ticket in the vaccination site.
The stubs of tickets would be given personally by him on the day of the vaccination for P6,000 per vaccination slot.
A poseur-customer contacted him that 10 POGO employees would avail of the vaccination slots he offered for a total of P60,000.
Montaos instructed the poseur-customer to register the details of the POGO employees online through www.manilacovid19vaccine.ph and to use the address 1248 Juan Luna St., Tondo, Manila, Bgy. 56, Zone 5, District 1, Tondo 1 in the said registration.
On July 23, 2021, Montaos contacted the informant and told him that the 10 slots for vaccination would be available the following day in General Vicente Lim Elementary School, Tondo, Manila.
With this, an entrapment operation was hatched on July 24, 2021, and NBI-SAU proceeded to the said vaccination site and strategically positioned themselves around the area. Poseur-clients and the informant were personally met by the suspect and male a companion identified as Bgy. Kagawad Arturo Magtalas.
Montaos and Magtalas assisted the team in the parking area and guided them to the reserved seats in the waiting area of the vaccination site.
Montaos then demanded for the P60,000 which the poseur-client handed over to him.
At this juncture, NBI operatives approached Montaos and Magtalas and arrested them.
They were brought for inquest before the Office of the City Prosecutor, Manila for violations of RA 11032 or the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007, and RA 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Additional charges for violation of RA 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees) were filed against Magtalas.
