Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / JOAN BONDOC
MANILA, Philippines — The Presidential Security Group’s (PSG) move to vaccinate themselves against COVID-19 shows that they are “ready to die” to fulfil their mandate in protecting President Rodrigo Duterte and his family, Malacañang said Monday.
“Ang mensahe nila ay malinaw—magpapakamatay sila para sa Presidente para bigyan siya ng proteksyon,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in an online briefing.
(Their message is clear—they are ready to die just to protect the President.)
“At ang sambayanan Pilipino naman po at ang ating Presidente ay nagbibigay pugay sa katapatan ng PSG sa kanilang misyon na protektahan ang ating Presidente,” he added.
(And the Filipino nation and our President are lauding the loyalty of the PSG for their mission in protecting the President.)
Roque also thanked and lauded the PSG for having themselves vaccinated against COVID-19 for the President’s safety.
“Nagpapasalamat po kami at nagpupugay din sa lahat ng miyembro ng PSG na nagpaturok. Maraming salamat po sa inyong katapatan, sa inyong katapangan,” he said.
(We thank and laud all members of the PSG who were inoculated. Thank you for your faithfulness and bravery.)
PSG Commander Brig. Gen. Jesus Durante said the President’s close-in security detail were vaccinated as early as September without authorization from Duterte himself.
Durante also admitted to requesting for the vaccines, but refused to disclose their “source.”
The Food and Drug Administration, National Bureau of investigation and the Armed Forces of the Philippines have launched separate investigations regarding PSG’s vaccination of its personnel.
“Haharap ho ba sila sa mga imbestigasyon? Syempre po. Wala po tayong tinatago, VP Leni Robredo,” Roque said.
(Will they face the investigations? Of course. We’re not hiding anything, VP Leni Robredo.)
Robredo has sought for transparency over PSG’s inoculation of its members with unauthorized vaccines.
“Gaya ng aking sinabi, magpapakamatay nga po sila para sa Presidente. Ano naman ang pakialam nila kung ano ang parusa na ibibigay sa kanila kung meron mang parusa?” Roque added.
(Like what I said, they are ready to die for the President. What do they care about the punishment they will receive if any?)