Duterte threatens to arrest citizens who refuse vaccine

MANILA. In this June 12, 2021, photo, President Rodrigo Duterte speaks during ceremonies to mark the 123rd anniversary of the Philippine independence at the Provincial Capitol of Bulacan province, Philippines. (AP)
MANILA. In this June 12, 2021, photo, President Rodrigo Duterte speaks during ceremonies to mark the 123rd anniversary of the Philippine independence at the Provincial Capitol of Bulacan province, Philippines. (AP)

INDIVIDUALS who refuse to be vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) will face arrest, an exasperated President Rodrigo Duterte threatened on Monday evening, June 21, 2021.

“Itong mga g*** na ayaw magpabakuna, and they are really the carriers. If they can travel from one place to another, carrying the virus and then contaminating other people. Kayong ayaw magpabakuna, ipabakuna ko ‘yong itong sa bakuna ng baboy, ‘yong Ivermectin,” he said in a televised public address.

“Don’t get me wrong. There is a crisis being faced in this country. There is a national emergency. Kung ayaw mong magpabakuna, ipaaresto kita. At ang bakuna ay galing itusok ko sa puwet mo,” he added.

He said he may order barangay officials to list down those who are eligible for vaccination but refuse to receive the vaccine.

“Don’t force my hand into it, kagaya nitong ano. Strong-arm method ‘yan eh. Walang may gusto niyan. Pero kung hindi kayo magpabakuna, umalis kayo sa Pilipinas. Go to India if you want or somewhere, to America. But for as long as you are here and you are a human being, and can carry the virus, eh magpabakuna ka,” he said.

In his report to Duterte, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said 2,153,942 individuals have been fully vaccinated out of 6,253,400 persons who have received one dose since the inoculations started on March 1, 2021.

Of those fully vaccinated, 1,067,630 are from priority group A1 (healthcare workers, mayors, governors), 553,527 from A2 (senior citizens), 524,699 from A3 (persons with comorbidities and 8,086 from A4 (workers who need to go out to work).

Some local government units have started the inoculation of A5, or indigent Filipinos, with 67,185 getting their first dose.

A total of 8,407,342 doses, both for first dose and second dose, have been administered. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Philippines)

Trending

No stories found.

Just in

No stories found.

Branded Content

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph