MAYOR BENG Climaco warned persons against using falsified negative RT-PCR tests to enter Zamboanga City after local authorities intercepted 8 people from the neighboring province of Basilan bearing fake RT-PCR test results.
The violators, Climaco said, were issued citation tickets and fined P5,000 and ordered to return to the province. “Necesitamos tomar medidas disciplinarias porque no queremos que nos traigan Covid-19 ni queremos que se infecten con el virus,” she said.
Climaco previously ordered security forces to intensify patrols and prevent the entry of people
without the necessary health requirements after receiving intelligence reports
that travellers are using Simariki Island off Zamboanga to sneak into the city
without negative RT-PCR tests.
She said all
travellers and even individuals are required to present their negative RT-PCR
test results upon entering Zamboanga City as part of stricter health protocols
in combating the spread of the deadly virus.
Simariki Island is populated by mostly indigenous
people.
Citing reports, the mayor said motorized boats
operated by unscrupulous individuals make at least 3 trips to the island where
they transport passengers who do not have negative RT-PCR tests and other
requirements. Most of the passengers would then enter coastal barangays.
“Zamboanga City is strictly implementing the No
RT-PCR Test, No Entry Policy for all travellers, including those from Sulu,
Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del
Sur,” she said.
Climaco said travellers must have negative Covid-19
test results – whether by Saliva RT-PCR test or nasopharyngeal RT-PCR test.
She previously issued Executive Order 651-2021 that
mandates all inbound passengers, whether APOR (Authorized Persons Outside Residence)
or private individuals, regardless of reason or purpose of entry, including
transit travellers to present negative RT-PCR test result within 5 days from
date of specimen collection and their valid identification cards before they
can enter Zamboanga City.
“These are temporary measures designed to curb the
sudden spike in Covid-19 cases in order to promote the health and safety of the
general welfare of the citizens,” the mayor said.
Soldiers and policemen had intercepted dozens of
people trying to enter Zamboanga the past months without the health
requirements.
Zamboanga, which has a long coastline, is dotted by
over two dozen islands and islets which makes it extremely difficult for
security forces to guard. The city is near the provinces of Basilan, Zamboanga
Sibugay, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga del Norte. (Jasmine
Mohammadsali, Zamboanga Post)
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