New PNP chief eyes ‘no jab, no duty’ among personnel

FILE PHOTO: Philippine National Police chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos. INQUIRER/NIñO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) will implement a “no jab, no duty” policy among its personnel, chief PGen. Dionardo Carlos announced Monday.

Carlos said the guidelines for the new policy will be released in the coming days.

“In the coming days, we are coming up with a Memorandum Circular to spell out the guidelines in the implementation of the ‘No Jab No Duty’ policy among PNP personnel,” Carlos said in a press briefing.

“As public servants and officers of the law, it is our responsibility to uphold public welfare at all times and lead by example in fulfilling the citizen’s duty to promote public health and safety,” he added.

Carlos said the policy will be implemented as soon as the guidelines are crafted.

According to Carlos, vaccination is “no longer a matter of personal choice, but a matter of public interest for the common good.”

“Directly affected by this policy are some 900 unvaccinated PNP personnel who are yet to offer any reasonable excuse for their continued refusal to be vaccinated despite all the opportunities provided,” Carlos said.

PNP data show that 1,808 PNP personnel are not yet vaccinated as of December 6.

Of this number, 299 are due to medical reasons, 194 are due to allergies, 393 are due to pregnancy, 63 are lactating mothers, 69 are due to religious beliefs and nine are under quarantine.

EDV