INVESTIGATORS have already identified at least one suspect in the reported illegal sale of anti-COVID-19 vaccines and are set to pursue criminal charges against him, Philippine National Police chief General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar on Monday said.

The PNP chief last Saturday was instructed by Local Government Secretary Eduardo M. Año to investigate those behind the reported sale of vaccine and sale of vaccination slots in the government’s COVID-19 vaccination program.

“Based on the initial result of the investigation, we have already identified at least one person who offered his high school friend two brands of vaccines for a price ranging from P12,000 to P15,500 through a social media messaging app,” said Gen. Eleazar.

According to the top cop, “the same person has been claiming that he has contacts in San Juan and Mandaluyong LGUs, the reason why he could easily get vaccines and even guarantee slots for the vaccination, and even presented deposit slips as proof of his previous transactions”

Gen. Eleazar said that the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group headed by Major Gen. Albert Ignatius D. Ferro and the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group headed by Brigadier Gen. Roberto T. Rodriguez are now zeroing in on this person.

“Although he has already deactivated all his social media accounts, we assure the public that he will face the full force of the law for this kind of illegal activity,” he said.

The PNP chief again renewed his appeal to the public to take advantage of their e-Sumbong program to report any illegal transactions relating to the sale of vaccines and vaccination slots in your respective areas.

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Alfred P. Dalizon