Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Wednesday that the COVID-19 vaccines given to some members of President Duterte’s Presidential Security Group (PSG) were smuggled since they were not authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
‘Yes, smuggled kasi hindi authorized. Only the government can authorize diyan,” Lorenzana told reporters in an interview at the wreath-laying ceremony at Rizal Park in Manila on Rizal Day.
“Kailangan ipaliwanag ng PSG ’cause they violated FDA rules… Explain ng PSG bakit ginawa ‘yun,” he added.
However, the Defense chief said the incident was not a case of a security breach because PSG’s intention was good.
Lorenzana said he only found out about the inoculation after Duterte’s close-in security were already vaccinated. He added he does not know the source of the COVID-19 vaccine.
On Tuesday, PSG commander Brigadier General Jesus Durante III said his team got the COVID-19 vaccines for free but refused to name the source.
Durante said the PSG researched what vaccine they would acquire.
Defense chief: PSG COVID-19 vaccines smuggled
“We’ve done our research about it so we made by all means, we were able to acquire itong vaccine na ito for our unit alone. Wala kaming intent na ipakalat ‘yun sa iba,” he said.
“Hindi ko rin masabi actually eh kung saan namin nakuha ‘yun, source namin, but maybe someday you’ll find out, you’ll know someday. For now, huwag muna, it could jeopardize itong vaccination program, procurement ng government natin,” he added.
Lorenzana emphasized that the FDA policies must be strictly followed in acquiring vaccines, medicines, and even food for safety.
He added the FDA should hasten its process of approving COVID-19 vaccines in the country.
“Ang dapat gawin ng FDA, madaliin pag-approve para makapag-import na legitimate importers and government kasi nagva-vaccine na sa ibang lugar. FDA should fast-track,” Lorenzana said.
Meanwhile, Palace spokesperson Harry Roque urged the public to “just accept” that some members of the military were given COVID-19 vaccines already.
“Tanggapin na lang po natin na importante na iyong ating kasundaluhan, iyong mga nagbabantay sa ating seguridad ay ligtas na sa COVID nang magampanan nila ang kanilang trabaho,” he said.