PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Guillermo Eleazar on Monday, July 5, 2021, warned the public against buying coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines, stressing that these are being administered for free.
Eleazar also said they were running after fixers who offer vaccination slots for a fee, after Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto said that two fixers have been arrested.
Eleazar urged the public to shun these unscrupulous individuals and wait for their vaccination schedule according to the government's prioritization framework.
He encouraged the public to report to authorities any information on these illegal activities through the PNP's different e-sumbong platforms.
Eleazar said those selling the vaccines won't engage in such illegal activity if there are no takers.
"Hindi maglalakas ng loob ang mga taong ito kung walang bumibili kaya binabalaan din natin ang ating mga kababayan na wag tangkilikin ito dahil kasama kayo sa makakasuhan ditto," he said.
Eleazar made the statement after three people, including a Manila district hospital nurse, were arrested during an entrapment operation in Quezon City. The nurse was allegedly selling Sinovac vaccines worth almost P1 million.
He said they were already coordinating with the National Bureau of Investigation and other concerned agencies to conduct a follow-up investigation and operation.
The National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 and the City Government of Manila have ordered the conduct of an investigation to establish the source of the vaccines.
Eleazar said he has ordered the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to look into the matter and the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) to monitor the cyberspace for these illegal activities. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / VoxPop Philippines)