PNP directed to ensure security of Covid-19 vaccines

Tabuk City, Kalinga - As the national government targets to start its vaccination this February 15, the Department of Interior and Local Government on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 directed the Philippine National Police to secure Covid-19 vaccines and the inoculation teams to make sure said vaccines reach their recipient.

In a press release, the agency said they already gave instruction to the PNP to secure all arriving vaccines and coordinate with local government units (LGUs) in order to ascertain that even the far-flung areas of the country will get their doses.

DILG Undersecretary Bernardo C. Florece, Jr. in a statement likened the vaccines to gold because of the limited supply. He said the police should prepare for any incident to happen.

“Ang mga bakuna na 'yan ay parang ginto lalo na ngayong kulang pa ang supply kaya pinaghahanda natin ang PNP sa anumang insidente.” he said.

“Pagdating sa airport hanggang sa maiturok ang mga ito, kasama na ang ating kapulisan,” the Undersecretary added.

With this, the DILG officer said the cooperation among PNP, barangay officials and their barangay tanods is required as the government need all necessary assistance this pandemic time.

“Tulad nang lagi nating paalala, we need all the help that we can get sa pandemyang ito lalo na sa nalalapit na pagbabakuna sa ating bansa kaya ang ating PNP, kasama ang mga pinuno ng barangay at mga tanod, ay inaasahan nating makikipagtulungan at makikiisa,” Florece explained.

DILG to CPP-NPA

Meanwhile, DILG Undersecretary and Spokesperson Jonathan Malaya made his appeal to the CPP-NPA to put the interest of the country first before their selfish ideology and support the vaccination program.

During these difficult times, Malaya said the rebels must set aside their ideological interests first and ‘should not impose any conditions for the benefit of the people.’

Previously, the CPP-NPA in a statement said they will allow the safe transport of the vaccines provided that the vehicles to be used in delivering the vaccines must be clearly marked with a red cross over a white back ground for it not to be mistaken as a military vehicle.

With said statement, Malaya criticized the leftist group for making such condition saying, “In all countries of the world, the military are mobilized to assist in the vaccination program. In the US, the National Guard has been mobilized to ensure the fast delivery of their vaccines.

Malaya said the demands of the rebels are actually a threat on the transport of the vaccines in conflict-affected areas.

“What happens when we utilize a military vehicle to transport the vaccine in mountainous areas, are they going to shoot our soldiers on a humanitarian mission?” the Undersecretary said.

“What happens when civilian vehicles do not have a red cross over a white background?” he added.

Malaya revealed that only 6 x 6 military trucks are able to reach those areas.

With said conditions set by the communist rebels, Malaya said the PNP will still be on high alert as they cannot just be complacent and trust the country’s enemies.

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