Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 15) — The Department of Tourism said Monday it has filed a complaint against six tourists from Manila who presented fake COVID-19 test results to enter Boracay Island.
The complaint was filed by the DOT Region VI-Boracay Field and Compliance Monitoring Office against six tourists who were arrested in January for falsification of public documents, the agency said in a statement on Monday. It did not say where the complaint was filed.
Tourists need to present negative RT-PCR results validated by local officials before they can receive a QR code at ports of entry.
The Interior Department said the crime is punishable under Republic Act No. 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act, which provides for penalties of up to P50,000 and/or imprisonment of up to six months at the discretion of the court.
Boracay received 11,898 visitors in January, with an average 300 to 400 tourists a day. The world-famous tourist spot gradually opened its doors starting July 2020.
