PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said on Monday, January 24, 2022, that extra coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccine doses may be given to members of the New People’s Army (NPA).
"Tingnan lang ninyo at kung may sobra, kung may sobra ibigay ninyo sa NPA para hindi ma-Covid-19 (See if you have extra vaccine doses. If there are any, give them to NPA rebels so they won’t contract the virus)," Duterte told officials during his Talk to the People Address aired on Tuesday, January 25.
"Kung may sobra lang, hindi kayo puwedeng unahin, kalaban kayo sa gobyerno (Only if there are extra doses. You (NPA rebels) will not be prioritized as you are enemies of the state)," he added.
He also reiterated his call to NPA fighters to surrender to the government and live a normal life again.
He promised to provide them housing and livelihood.
The Philippines has so far received over 200 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines, of which 115,303,412 have been administered as of January 24.
A total of 123,365,808 doses were administered in the country.
Of the total, 57,268,257 individuals have received full inoculation, while 59,799,215 got the first dose. (SunStar Philippines)