Pacquiao opposes restrictions for unvaccinated Filipinos: ‘Persuade but do not force them’

Senator Manny Pacquiao. File photo / Cesar Tomambo / Senate PRIB

MANILA, Philippines — PROMDI presidential aspirant Sen. Manny Pacquiao on Wedneday appealed to the Department of Interior on Local Government (DILG), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Department of Transportation (DoTr) and all local government units not to curtail the mobility of unvaccinated Filipinos so long as they observe the mandatory health and safety protocols.

Pacquiao said the unvaccinated Filipinos should not also be forced to get their vaccine jabs. Instead, authorities should just persuade them by properly explaining the benefits of having anti-Covid vaccines.

“Ako po ay nanawagan sa DILG, sa PNP, sa DoTr at sa ating mga LGU na huwag naman po sana nating pilitin ang ating mga kababayan na magpabakuna kung ito ay labag sa kanilang paniniwala. Kumbinsihin po natin sila at pagpaliwanagan ngunit huwag natin silang pilitin,” Pacquiao said in a statement.

“Huwag po natin silang ituring na parang mga kriminal. Huwag po natin silang putulan ng karapatan na makapagtrabaho o makapamili ng kanilang mga pangangailangan,” Pacquaio said.

Pacquiao’s statement came after the DoTr issued a travel ban on all unvaccinated Filipinos. Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte also issued an order for barangay officials to stop unvaccinated residents from going out of their homes.

READ: Duterte order to ‘restrain’ the unvaccinated applies nationwide — Palace

Pacquiao said that having a vaccine should continue to be a personal choice and the government should not impose restrictions against those who believe that this is contrary to their personal and religious beliefs.

And unless there is a law that mandates people to be vaccinated, those who chose not to must be left alone.

“Walang batayan sa kahit anumang batas na pigilan ang mga hindi bakunadong indibidwal sa kanilang malayang pagkilos sa komunidad,” Pacquaio said.

“ Yun pong mga may gustong magpa-vaccinate eh di magpa-vaccinate. Pero yun pong mga ayaw ay bigyan po natin sila ng karapatan na manindigan sa kanilang paniniwala,” he added.