(January 5, 2021) — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) postponed its scheduled inquiry on Tuesday into the purported self-inoculation of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) with COVID-19 vaccines.
This comes after President Rodrigo Duterte in his public address on Monday night ordered the PSG to withhold information about the controversial vaccination.
“The AFP Chief Gen. Gilbert Gapay has called off the scheduled fact-finding investigation today on the vaccination of some PSG personnel. This comes in the light of the recent pronouncement of the Commander-in-Chief and President Rodrigo Duterte,” said the AFP in a statement.
Duterte was adamant that he will not allow the PSG to be questioned by lawmakers regarding the issue.
“If they will be called to testify in Congress, I will just tell them because they are now being accused, I will ask PSG to just shut up. Do not answer. Use their right against self-incrimination. Wala kayong makukuha. Do not force my soldier to testify against their will,” said Duterte.
He also warned Congress not to “tinker with the PSG” as he justified the illegal vaccination as a “matter of self-preservation.”
“Please do not cite them in contempt. I will not allow it. Pupunta ako sa Congress at kukunin ko sila. There will be a little crisis,” said Duterte. “Do not force my hand to meddle in this affair, maybe I will not be so keen to allowing (PSG chief) Jesus Durante and the rest of PSG to testify. Ginawa ito nila, as I understand, para sa kapakanan ng buhay nila. How do you now propose that they can guard me and my life kung social distancing for the troop? Kayo na mag-intindi dyan.”
Duterte also denied that he was covering up information on the controversy.
“Do not presume na sabi kino-cover up. P***** i** kayo, wala akong, hindi ako g*** na maglaro ng ganito,” said Duterte.
Not only the use but also the importation of the alleged COVID-19 vaccine from China’s Sinopharm were unauthorized, and the government has yet to explain how the secret inoculation took place. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the doses were simply donated but did not reveal the source.
Durante, meanwhile, said they injected themselves because “it was so easy” despite the lack of approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
(Cherry Salazar/PM)
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