Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 8) – President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday appealed to the Communist Party of the Philippines to allow COVID-19 vaccines to be transported “freely and safely” in far-flung areas once they become available.
“The Communist Party of the Philippines must guarantee that the vaccines, in the course of their being transported to areas where there are no city health officers and medical persons, na wag ninyong galawin ang medisina (please leave the medicines alone),” he said during his weekly national address.
“Allow the vaccines to be transported freely and safely. I am asking you now to observe that rule, because that is for the Filipino people,” Duterte added.
The President noted reports of communist rebels disrupting the transport of government aid in rural areas. He urged them to “kindly observe the rules of humanity.”
Duterte threatened to declare martial law last year due to alleged lawlessness of communist rebels. He cited repeated attacks against government forces who were bringing relief goods to poor communities.
Duterte meanwhile called on other government agencies not to obstruct the delivery of the vaccines as well.
“To every government worker, lahat tayo (all of us)…do not delay and do not hinder or obstruct the smooth flow na nakikita niyo ngayon (that you see right now), from the time of arrival to the time of clearance,” he said.
“Ang trabaho lang ninyo, Customs, is magtingin. You have no business na buksan buksan ‘yan diyan. You’re not allowed to do that. I’m not allowing anybody diyan sa airport na magbukas-bukas,” Duterte added.
[Translation: The only job of the Bureau of Customs is to check. You have no business opening everything. You’re not allowed to do that. I’m not allowing anybody in the airport to open everything.]
The President also tasked the Philippine National Police to secure the transport of COVID-19 vaccines.
“The PNP should provide escorts to ensure the fastest way the vaccines will arrive. Even on the matter of transporting from one facility to another, the police should provide that kind of mobility,” Duterte said.
The country is expecting to have its initial rollout of coronavirus vaccines within the first quarter of the year.
