Driver arrested after entering Baguio with fake WHO IDs

Baguio city remains strict in implementing protocols in checkpoint areas for vehicles entering the city, especially with the sudden increase in the number of coronarivus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in the city.

Photo credit: sunstar.com.ph

Baguio City has cracked down on vehicles illegally bringing in tourists, workers, or locally stranded individuals (LSIs).

A driver from Pasig City thought he could enter the city with it by placing stickers of the World Health Organization (WHO) on his car window and making his own WHO ID. 

On August 3, Monday, Ernesto Ferrer Jr of Pasig City was held at checkpoint at Irisan, with him is Romer Sunga Paredes who was his alternate driver and 4 LSIs onboard passengers.

Ferrer showed his WHO ID and said his passengers sought WHO's help so they could enter Baguio. However, the problem was that Paredes had no documents to show, so they were made to proceed to the triage area for LSIs at Teacher's Camp. 

When they're at the Camp, PCpl Sharon Patacsil verified Ferrer's employment and contacted WHO. 

It was learned that Ferrer was not an employee of WHO and his ID and stickers were fake. 

He was charged for falsifying documents, usurpation of authority, and violating Republic Act No. 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act. 

Baguio City still under extended Modified General Community Quarantine until August 15 per National IATF directive -- Executive Order No. 117, series of 2020

Baguio now has 128 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 67 active cases.

Nationwide, the Philippines on Monday reported 3,226 new cases, bringing the total to 106,330, with 2,104 deaths and 65,821 recoveries.

The netizens asked for stricter surveillance in Baguio City's borders, netizens of Baguio remain obedient in following the city's protocols asking and hoping that LSIs do the same.