Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar on May 24 said “Based on initial investigation, we identified one person who offered his high school friend two brands of vaccines for a price ranging from PHP12,000 to PHP15,500 through a social media messaging app.”
“The same person claims 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’,” Eleazar added.
He said the PNP is “zeroing in” on the individual, who has since deactivated all his social media accounts.
Eleazar said the Food and Drug Administration has not approved the marketing or sale of any COVID-19 vaccine which makes selling it illegal.
He called on the public to report any complaint to the PNP SMS hotline — 0919-160-1752(Smart); 0917-847-5757 (Globe). He said information may also be forwarded to: [email protected] or through social media: facebook.com/OfficialPNPhotline and web portal: (https://e-sumbong.pnp.gov.ph).
“We assure the public anyone found to be responsible—if the reports are true—will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Undersec. Jonathan Malaya of the Department of the Interior and Local Government following reports that some people are selling vaccination slots in the cities of Mandaluyong and San Juan.
“We can file several cases against them. First of all, if this modus operandi is really true and not just a scam, definitely, this is a case of theft of government vaccines,” said Malaya.
“We could also file several charges in relation to fraud. These are now being studied and investigated by the PNP and we will file appropriate charges based on the result of the investigation,” he added.
The National Task Force Against COVID-19 said stated, “All the vaccines procured by the national government and are currently being administered have only been given Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). They are not for commercial distribution.”
“To reiterate, our vaccines are free and those who will commit fraud and illegal acts of selling and providing priorities and privileged access for financial gains will be investigated and punished.” Malaya said, “We are urging barangays to conduct more house-to-house or mobile registration to assist people with no internet connection or with no devices so that they can register.”
