JAB OR BUST A throng besieges a vaccination center at Robinsons Manila shopping mall on the eve of the two-week enhanced community quarantine that starts today. The rush was prompted by fears that the unvaccinated would be forced to stay home or—worse— be disqualified from receiving aid. Malacañang denies that President Duterte’s earlier remarks fueled the fears. —RICHARD A. REYES
MANILA, Philippines — “Reckless statements” triggered the chaos that gripped vaccination sites in several Metro Manila cities on the eve of the imposition of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), Vice President Leni Robredo said on Sunday.
On Thursday, the vaccination sites of Manila and Las Pinas City were stormed by people who tried to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
“Iyong nabasa ko kasi, statement ng iba’t ibang grupo, pati si Mayor Isko [Moreno] na kaya ‘yun nagka-ganoon kasi may mga reckless statements na nagbunsod,” Robredo said in over DZXL when asked on her reaction about the incidents.
(I have read statements from different groups, including from Mayor Isko Moreno, that some reckless statements caused it.)
“Halimbawa, baka ipakulong sila o bawal na silang lumabas ng bahay,” she added. “Kapag lumabas sila ng bahay at hindi sila bakunado, ipapa-escort sila pabalik ng bahay.”
(For example, there were statements about people getting detained or will not be allowed outside of their homes if they are not vaccinated. That they will be escorted back to their homes.)
Robredo did not mention names as to who gave the statements, but it was President Rodrigo Duterte who earlier said in his public address that those who refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19 should not go outside, and if they are caught outside, they will be escorted back to their homes.
Malacañang, however, said Duterte’s pronouncements should not be blamed for the ruckus in the vaccination sites but those who spread the fake news.
For her part, Robredo said the government should be careful in issuing statements and be clear with regulations.
“Kailangan mag-ingat tayo para hindi mako-confuse ang mga tao, hindi siya nagki-create ng panic. Tapos klaro sa tao iyong mga regulations,” she said.
(We need to be careful [with statements] so it will not cause confusion and create panic. We also need to be clear with our regulations.)