ILOILO City – Five tourists from Metro Manila wanting to enter Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan but with spurious coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) test results are facing criminal charges.
The group was originally composed of six persons. They entered the world-famous island on Dec. 5.
Of the six negative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results submitted, only one was found to be authentic, according to Police Corporal Maria Jane Vega, spokesperson of the Aklan Police Provincial Office.
The suspects holed up in their hotel room when they learned that cops were after them.
“We were able to locate them through the QR (quick reaction) code system,” Vega said.
They surrendered Monday evening and were subsequently sent on quarantine for 14 days in Kalibo, Aklan. They also underwent swabbing for possible COVID-19 infection.
Vega said the suspects face criminal complaints for falsification of public documents and violating Republic Act No. 1332, which required reporting of contagious diseases.
Since the opening of Boracay on Oct. 1, tourists bound for the famed island resort are required to present a negative RT-PCR test result within 72 hours before their trip. This is a requirement before they are issued a QR code to be allowed entry to the island.
Tourists are also required to wear facemasks unless during swimming sessions.
There is no liquor ban in the island, but discos and bars are still prohibited./PN
