Panic-vaccination? Palace says fake news to blame, not Duterte
Long queue at the vaccination site in Manila. PHOTO/Manila Public Information Office
MANILA, Philippines — Those who are spreading rumors that unvaccinated people will be restricted are to blame for the sudden surge of people going to vaccination sites, not President Rodrigo Duterte, Malacañang said Thursday.
Metro Manila residents reportedly stormed the vaccination sites on Thursday, ahead of the reimposed enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) over the region, with the City of Manila recording at least 19,000 individuals in their vaccination sites.
READ: At least 19,000 individuals flock Manila’s COVID-19 vaccination sites
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque denied that it was President Duterte’s pronouncement to bar unvaccinated people from going out; otherwise, they would get escorted back to their homes by the police that led to the exodus.
“I don’t think so. Tingin ko may mga nagpapakalat talaga ng fake news, mayroon talagang walang matinong ginagawa sa buhay nila,” he said when asked if he thinks the President’s tone in his public addresses led people to rush getting vaccinated.
(I don’t think so. I think some no-good people are spreading fake news.)
“Ewan ko ba bakit hindi pa sila ma-COVID, pero, anyway, ‘wag kayo maniwala sa fake news,” he added.
(I don’t know why they haven’t got COVID-19 yet but anyway don’t believe in fake news.)
Malacañang disproved circulating false information that the government imposed additional COVID-19 restrictions, including disallowing unvaccinated people from going out and excluding them from receiving cash assistance during ECQ.
Roque clarified that people could still go out of their homes during ECQ provided that they are among those authorized persons outside of residence (APOR), and they are going out to get necessities like food or medicine.
He also said it is not true that people would not get ECQ aid even though they are not yet vaccinated, as they would not be asked to present proof of vaccination.
“Walang mga katotohanan ‘yung sinasabi na kapag walang bakuna, hindi makakakuha ng ayuda at hindi makakalabas ng bahay,” he said.
(There is no truth to the rumor that if you are unvaccinated, you cannot go out.)
“Unang una, lahat dapat tayo ay wag lumabas ng bahay except para kunin ang ting mga necessities at except kung tayo ay APOR,” he added.
(We all are barred from going out except for those getting necessities and those who are APOR.)
President Duterte, in a speech last week, said he would ask the police to escort unvaccinated people back to their homes.
“Now ito ngayong ayaw magpabakuna, sinasabi ko sa inyo huwag kayong lumabas ng bahay kasi ‘pag lumabas kayo ng bahay, sabihin ko sa mga pulis eh ibalik ka doon sa bahay mo. You will be escorted back to your house because you are a walking spreader,” the President said in a public address last Wednesday.
(Those who don’t want to get vaccinated, I’m telling you, don’t go out of your house because if you go out, I will instruct the police to escort you back to your house.)
READ: Duterte not worried about persons going out if already vaccinated vs COVID-19
READ: Don’t want to get vaccinated? Stay home — Duterte
