SENATOR Joel Villanueva said the number of Filipinos who contracted the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) could be higher than one million.
Villanueva made the statement, as the government recorded the one million mark in terms of Covid-19 cases in the country.
"The one million Filipinos infected by Covid-19 were only those who had been tested. The actual figure could be higher, or by one study, even five times more," Villanueva said.
This distressing figure was reached 452 days since the country recorded its first Covid-19 case on January 30, 2020.
"What is worrying is that we have reached this number on the crest of yet another surge. The daily installment which put us over the one-million mark was again in several thousands, an alarming rate by global standards," Villanueva said.
The country has reached a redline that should push the determination of Filipinos to fight Covid-19, he stressed. "Ang isang milyon ay red line na dapat magpaigting ng ating determinasyon na puksain ang pagkalat ng Covid-19."
"We mark this number on the eve of the 500th year of our victory in Mactan. We won that battle. We can win this one. Bakuna, ayuda, bayanihan, siyensya -- yan ang mga susi ng ating tagumpay," the senator added.