Garin slams ‘groups’ manipulating mothers in ‘staged’ attack

Former Health Secretary Janette Garin believes that the attack on her by a group of mothers, whose children had been vaccinated by Dengvaxia vaccine, was “staged.”

“It’s with a heavy heart that I see some victims again being victimized by groups. I don’t know kasi kitang-kita naman natin dun na masyadong staged eh at nagkakakasakitan ang tao…,” Garin told reporters as she appeared again before the Senate inquiry into the P3.5 billion anti-dengue immunization program.

“It’s something that I don’t expect to be happening in the Philippines na parang there are some people promoting others to go into the mob mentality…,” she said.

The former health official noted that one of those who confronted her after attending a hearing at the House of Representatives on Monday was shouting: “Ayaw na namin ng imbestigasyon. Patayan na.”

READ: Furious mothers confront Garin over Dengvaxia

“Why is this happening to us? Bakit sa ibang bansa hindi ito nangyayari?” Garin asked. She later clarified that she was not referring to the parents as the ones who “staged” the attack.

While she understands the parents, especially those who had lost a child, she said she could not understand why there are people who are taking advantage and using them to create “hysteria” and “panic.”

“Kasi nangyari ito because of all the hysteria and the panic that’s being crated…,”she said.

“That’s why nang nasabi nga sa akin na may kaso nang na-file, it’s better to bring it to court because in the court, it will be discussed thoroughly. All sides will be allowed to present our side and at the end, I really believe we will all be vindicated especially the DOH (Department of Health) officials,” she added.

Garin said bringing the issue before the court would take the discussion away from media, which she said has been “creating hysteria and panic.”   /kga

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