CEBU, Philippines — The police are set to file a criminal complaint today for falsification of public document against a water vendor who was caught selling fake quarantine passes.
Police Staff Sergeant Rainer Mahinay of Waterfront Police Station said the suspect, Ariel Cadion Pulot, 29, has been detained after he was caught by the City Environment Sanitation Enforcement Team (CESET) selling fake quarantine passes last Saturday morning.
"Nasakpan to kay ang pangalan sa dinakpan ug ang pangalan sa quarantine pass dili parehas so dili iyang quarantine pass iyang gipa-xerox," said Mahinay.
Pulot was caught after one individual who was barred entry for not having a quarantine pass has entered the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño the second time with the fake quarantine pass.
Upon checking, the arresting personnel have noticed the suspect in a distance selling the other piece of quarantine passes to another individuals.
Mahinay said that Pulot admitted to have the quarantine pass photocopied to sell it at P20 each.
"Katong gipangutana siya diin siya anang quarantine pass (original), iya ra kunong gipa-xerox," Mahinay added.
The authorities were able to recover 13 fake quarantine passes as two pieces had already been sold.
Pulot also admitted that it was the first time that he has done it.
The police further reminded the public to avoid using such as this has been the second time that they were able to arrest individual with a similar case.
"Katong mga walay quarantine pass dili nalang gyud sila mag-secure og pinaagi anang illegal nga pamaagi kay kung masakpan sila, makit-an sila nga fake ilang quarantine pass, dakpon man gyud sila, maglikay nalang unta," said Mahinay.
Just last year, the same police station arrested one 38-year old woman after she was caught photocopying her enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) pass.
Mahinay said that the police can detect immediately if quarantine passes are legitimate ones. — GMR (FREEMAN)