Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas vowed that charges will be filed against individuals caught selling COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination slots.

“We are not selling any vaccines. These are all free from the National Government. Anyone caught will be filed with all criminal charges available to us,” Treñas said in a statement.

“Bisan sin o pa ga baligya, filan ko criminal case,” he stressed.

The mayor sought the help of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in identifying those behind the alleged vaccines/vaccination slots-for-sale scheme.

Treñas said a person offered one of his friends a vaccination slot at P3,000.

The mayor shared a text message he received from his friend, which read: I accompanied a relative to [the University of] San Agustin [gymnasium] for vaccination. May nagsapak sa akon. Siguro kilala ya ko pero indi ko siya kilala siguro basi kay may mask kag face shield. While waiting outside gin-approach niya ko kag namangkot kung may ticket ako for vaccination, kay kung wala, kag gusto ko, pwede siya kuno ka provide in exchange for P3,000.”

Treñas also requested the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) “to strictly monitor the USA  gymnasium and other vaccination centers” in the city.IMT