BOC warns of fake COVID-19 vaccines

On Feb 17, 2021

Bureau of Customs Assistant Commissioner in charge of PCAG and Spokesman Atty. Vincent ‘Jett’ Maronilla (stock photo).

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) has further strengthened its partnership with other local enforcement agencies as it warned of the potential danger that can be caused by the proliferation of fake, locally produced vaccines against COVID-19.

Assistant Commissioner and BOC spokesman, Atty. Vincent Maronilla, in a talk with Pinoy Exposé, said that already, they have received information from Chinese authorities about the proliferation of bogus COVID-19 vaccines that actually consist of plain water and salt (saline solution).

The BOC, Maronilla noted, had previously released a public advisory on the issue of fake vaccines after an advisory from the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) warned governments about domestic syndicates and other underground groups trying to take advantage of the huge COVID-19 vaccine market thru the manufacture and distribution of fake vaccines.

Maronilla said that while the bureau’s systems and processes are already in place to expedite the release from customs custody of all imported vaccines contracted by the government, running after local fake producers would mean closer coordination by all law enforcement agencies.

More than a week ago, the BOC expressed satisfaction on the result of a “simulation run” it conducted at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on how fast the agency can release all shipments of the vaccines, the bulk of which are expected to be course thru the country’s airports, especially, the NAIA.

“What is difficult to trace and apprehend are the locally-produced fake vaccines,” Maronilla pointed out.

Last year, even as the pandemic rages, the BOC, in close coordination with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), managed to shut down several clandestine and makeshift “clinics” suspected of being used to treat COVID-19 patients, particularly Chinese nationals.

“Such ‘clinics’ can be utilized as an avenue for distribution of local fake vaccines,” the official pointed out further.

Maronilla further warned the public to be careful in availing vaccines for their own use as fake vaccines can have severe health consequences to users.

“Even worst, fake vaccines may not be effective thus further exposing users and their loved ones to the dangers of COVID-19,” he added.