JUSTICE Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra said last Sunday that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will dig deeper into the vaccine shots and slots for sale following the arrest in Manila of three individuals, including a nurse, who were caught illegally selling COVID-19 vaccines.

In an interview with reporters, Guevarra said the NBI is looking into the possibility that more people are involved in the illegal activity, including some local health officials.

"Yes, the NBI is probing more deeply to find out the sources of the vaccines illegally sold and determine who else, if any, are involved," Guevarra said.

Last June 30, agents of the NBI's Task Force Against Illegal Drugs (NBI-TFAID) arrested Kour Singh, Calvin Roca and registered nurse Alexis Guzman.

They were caught with an icebox containing 300 doses of CoronaVac, vaccines manufactured in China by Sinovac.

The group is suspected to have been selling the vaccines to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) workers.

The suspects have been presented for inquest proceedings before the Department of Justice (DOJ) for filing of charges.

Guevarra also said the NBI is seriously looking into reports about some unscrupulous individuals selling vaccination slots to prioritize certain sectors, including POGO workers, particularly in local government units that do not have an efficient vaccination system.

He said the NBI is focusing its investigation in the National Capital Region where the demand for vaccination is high.

"The possible sale of vaccination slots is also included in the NBI's investigation as this is precisely the original scope of my directive to the NBI," Guevarra said.

Last May, Guevarra directed the bureau to look into the illegal selling of COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination slots through social media.

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