ARMED Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gilbert Gapay has called off the fact-finding investigation scheduled Tuesday, January 5, 2021, into the vaccination of Presidential Security Group (PSG) men against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
AFP spokesperson Edgard Arevalo announced this several hours after President Rodrigo Duterte warned Congress against forcing PSG officials to attend any legislative inquiry into the vaccination.
“AFP Chief General Gilbert Gapay called-off scheduled fact-finding investigation today on PSG vaccination in the light of the recent pronouncement of the Commander-in-Chief and President Rodrigo Duterte,” Arevalo said.
Earlier, Arevalo said Gapay had ordered a thorough investigation into the vaccination of PSG personnel using the Sinopharm vaccine, which is not authorized for distribution and use in the Philippines.
The military, however, had also acknowledged that it was part of the nature of the PSG’s mission and function.
The PSG is an agency tasked to provide close-in security to the President and members of his family.
Arevalo had said that the safety of the President equates to national well-being and security posture necessarily includes protecting him from the virus.
The President, who is 75 years old, is at high risk of contracting the severe form of Covid-19, which could be fatal. (Marites Villamor-Ilano / SunStar Philippines)