(January 5, 2021) – In yet another case of retracting his own statement, President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said he has no knowledge about the illicit COVID-19 vaccination of members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG).
Duterte also claimed he is not withholding information on the issue, backtracking on his bold pronouncements last month.
“I don’t know really if they (PSG) were injected with the vaccine, what brand, hindi ko alam. Hindi ko talaga, huwag kayong, do not presume na sabi kino-cover up. P***** i** kayo, wala akong, hindi ako g*** na maglaro ng ganito,” said Duterte said in his public address.
Last December 26, Duterte admitted that “almost all soldiers” have already received the COVID-19 vaccine from China’s state-run firm Sinopharm, even if the Food and Drug Administrator (FDA) of the Philippines has yet to approve the use of any dose.
“Sabihin ko sa iyo, marami na ang nagpa-injection dito sa Sinopharm,” said Duterte. “Halos lahat ng sundalo, natusukan na. I have to be frank, I have to tell the truth. I will not foist a lie. Marami nang nagpatusok. Lahat, up to now, wala ako narinig for the select few, not all soldiers, hindi pa kasi policy.”
The PSG is composed of soldiers, police personnel, and coast guards.
After Duterte’s revelation, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Lt. Gen. Cirilto Sobejana and PSG commander Brig. Gen. Jesus Durante III confirmed members of the PSG were already inoculated. Durante even said that it was Duterte who authorized the illegal vaccination via the chain of command.
Duterte, however, has made a complete turnaround, denying his familiarity with the entire issue.
“I am not saying that they got the vaccine or not. That is their worry because they can always say ‘Well, I did not have it, I refuse to.’ Pero sila because sa trabaho nila eh kailangan talaga.” said Duterte. “Now, kung ‘yan ang sitwasyon nila, I would not be surprised. I’m not saying that they had it, but I will not be surprised kung talagang nagpa-injection sila.”
It is the latest of Duterte’s penchant for contradicting himself with his statements. Last month, he said he has never killed anyone despite repeated assertions in the past that he did so. He also claimed he never ordered police officers to kill criminals despite consistent reminders to “shoot to kill” suspects in illegal drugs.
In light of Duterte’s latest pronouncements, the AFP cancelled its fact-finding investigation today on the PSG COVID-19 vaccination mess.
(Cherry Salazar/PM)
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