Duterte allows vaccination of NPA rebels, but only ‘if there’s excess supply’
MANILA, Philippines — Members of the New Peoples Army (NPA) in the rural areas can also get vaccinated against COVID-19, but only if there is excess in supply, President Rodrigo Duterte said.
During his Talk to the People briefing aired Tuesday, Duterte said NPA members cannot be prioritized in the inoculation efforts since they are “enemies of state.”
“Ngayon, pag may sobra, kung may sobra lang. Hindi kayo pwedeng unahin [dahil] kalaban kayo sa gobyerno,” Duterte said addressing members of the NPA.
(If there is excess and only if there is excess in vaccines, since you cannot be prioritized because you are enemies of state.)
Duterte then addressed authorities in charge of inoculation efforts: “Tingnan lang niyo, at kung may sobra, tawagan nyo muna ako. Kung may sobra, ibigay ninyo sa NPA para hindi ma-COVID-19.”
(Check it and if there is excess, and if there is excess, call me first. If there is excess, give it to the NPA so they won’t contract COVID-19.)
Duterte’s remarks came following orders for health workers in rural areas hit by Typhoon Odette to ask those staying in evacuation areas whether they have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
“In addition, patong doon sa usual work ng health workers [is] to find out the health of the inhabitants sa shelter area kung nakapagbakuna na. Kasi kung hindi pa… ipa-deliver na lang ang bakuna para isa na lang,” Duterte said.
(Aside from the health workers’ usual work, they have to check if inhabitants in shelter areas have been vaccinated. If not… vaccines can be delivered there.)
“Pero kayo mga NPA, ito ang utos ko sa inyo. Ito ang order ko sa inyo, hayaan niyo yung gobyerno mag-implement nitong order ko ngayon—itong mga tao sa bukid-bukid na nasa baba ngayon kasi walang bahay, you allow them to go around at mabakunahan ang mga tao,” he added.
(For the NPA, here’s my order. Allow the government to implement this order for the people in rural areas and have no homes to be allowed to go around and get vaccinated.)
