Presidential Security Group (PSG) Commander BGen. Jesus Durante III admitted that some of their personnel have been vaccinated against COVID-19 as early as September.
The PSG chief said the inoculation was not disclosed to anyone, including President Rodrigo Duterte. The source and manner on how the vaccines were acquired and the number of personnel inoculated remain unanswered. He assured that he is ready to face any investigation.
“When we acquired the vaccine, immediately pina-administer namin ‘to (we immediately administered it) on our own within the PSG itself,” he stated.
“We took the risk. That is a calculated risk on our part. We actually pushed for it because hindi na namin mahintay ito (we can no longer wait for it) and we’re talking of the health of the commander-in-chief,” he added.
Durante said the inoculated troops have had no reported side effects and have not yet contracted the virus.
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana who reportedly had no knowledge then on the said inoculation admitted that the vaccines used were “smuggled.”
“Hindi authorized eh na magpasok dito (It is not authorized to bring them in). Only the government can authorize that through the FDA,” he stated.
Lorenzana is now seeking an explanation from the PSG but added that it is “justified.” He also clarified that the inoculation of some PSG personnel does not equate to ignoring the priority list of the vaccine program. – Report from Patrick de Jesus
