THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will leave no stone unturned in its investigation into the reported sale of vaccine shots and slots.

This, as three individuals – one of them a nurse – were arrested recently for allegedly selling COVID-19 vaccines.

The NBI Task Force Against Illegal Drugs identified the arrested suspects as Kour Singh, Calvin Roca, and Alexis de Guzman, a registered nurse in a hospital in Manila.

The three suspects were nabbed in an operation on Wednesday, while another suspect remains at large.

Seized from the suspects was an icebox with 300 doses of Sinovac’s CoronaVac.

“The NBI is probing more deeply to find out the sources of the vaccines illegally sold and determine who else, if any, are involved. The possible sale of vaccination slots is also included in the NBI’s investigation, as this is precisely the original scope of my directive to the NBI,” said Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has formally released a department order directing the NBI to conduct an investigation into the reported sale of COVID-19 shots, and vaccination slots.

“The NBI through Officer-in-Charge Eric B. Distor, is hereby directed and granted authority to conduct an investigation on the alleged illegal sale of COVID-19 vaccines and/or sale of vaccination slots,” read Department Order No. 120.

“If evidence warrants, to file the appropriate charges against all persons involved and found responsible for any unlawful act in connection therewith,” it added.

Distor was required to submit a progress report within 10 days and periodically thereafter. NBI is an attached agency of the DOJ.

The investigation was upon the request of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benhur Abalos.

Abalos said individuals who offer vaccine slots for a fee to netizens could be slapped with estafa or direct bribery charges, among others.

Abalos warned that those who bought the vaccine slots may also be held criminally liable.

“Doon sa mga pribado na gustong magpabakuna, madedemanda din siya, ” he said. “They are a principal by inducement.”