Fake NBI-Quezon chief Dominador Villanueva imterrogates the arrested couple. Photo by GEMI FORMARAN

NBI nabs couple over fake COVID test results in Quezon

September 30, 2021 Gemi Formaran 830 views

SARIAYA, Quezon – Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday night arrested a couple allegedly producing fake negative antigen, RT-PCR swab test results in Quezon.

NBI-Quezon head Dominador Villanueva identified the suspects as Sheila Marcuap and her husband Kim Lester Ella, owners of a restaurant on Maharlika Highway in Bgy. Balubad, this town.

Villanueva said the couple were arrested while receiving the payment for a bogus negative RT-PCR test result from a client. The transaction was held at the back of the restaurant.

He said no one would suspect that something illegal is happening inside the establishment frequently visited by customers.

“Mahaba lagi ang pila ng mga sasakyan sa labas ng kainan. May mga kumakain sa restaurant habang may mga naghihintay sa van. Hindi mo iisiping ‘yung mga naghihintay pala ay mga nagpapagawa ng RT-PCR at antigen negative results,” Villanueva said.

The couple were arrested while receiving the payment for the fake health documents.

The official said prior to the operation, their assets received informations about the rampant selling of fake RT-PCR and antigen negative results in a resto in Sariaya.

Most of the patrons were van drivers and passengers going to Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Albay, Sorsogon and some parts of Bicol.

The NBI immediately conducted a test buy that led to the couple’s arrest.

Villanueva said the couple were issuing RT-PCR and antigen test results without getting specimens or conducting a swab testing.

He said the results looked genuine as it also contain a QR code and if scanned show the name of the clinic.

The suspects also changed the contact number in the certification so that when someone makes confirmation, somebody from the other line will answer and confirm the documents.

The NBI said travelers from Manila enroute to Bicol pay the couple 2,500 to 3,000, which include the antigen and RT-PCR test result.

Sheila, who claimed to have worked in a printing firm, said she had no knowledge that the documents were fake but admitted reproducing or printing RT PCR and antigen negative test results.

She said the documents were only sent to her for printing.

The bogus RT-PCR and antigen test results were registered in several laboratories across Region 4A and the National Capital Region.

The laboratories denied their involvement in the couple’s modus.

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