MANILA – Despite the assurance from the communist rebels that they will not interfere with the delivery of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) told the Philippine National Police (PNP) to be on “high alert” as they have been tasked to secure the COVID-19 vaccines and inoculation teams from any possible disruptions. .
“Alerto lang ang pamahalaan dahil mahirap maging kampante at pagkatiwalaan ang mga kaaway ng bayan,” said DILG undersecretary Jonathan Malaya who is also the co-chairman of National Task Force against COVID-19 Task Group Prevention.
In his address to the public earlier this week, President Rodrigo Duterte called on the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) not to hinder the delivery of the vaccines to far-flung communities.
In response, the CPP assured that they will not hamper the transport of the COVID-19 vaccines, but suggested that distribution of the vaccines must be done by the International Committee of the Red Cross, Philippine Red Cross, and other independent humanitarian groups.
Malaya, however, did not like the demands of the communist rebels saying they should put the country first before their “selfish ideological interests” and must not impose conditions on the government during pandemic.
“Can’t the CPP/NPA/NDF [Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/ National Democratic Front of the Philippines] declare a cessation of hostilities for a change if only to allow the delivery of the vaccines?” Malaya said.
“In all countries of the world, the military are mobilized to assist in the vaccination program. In the US, the National Guard has been mobilized to ensure the fast delivery of their vaccines,” he added.
Malaya further said that only military vehicles can reach the mountainous areas for delivery of the drugs. “What happens when we utilize a military vehicle to transport the vaccine in mountainous areas, are they going to shoot our soldiers on a humanitarian mission? (The) 6×6 military trucks are the only vehicles that can reach these areas. What happens when civilian vehicles do not have a red cross over a white background?”
Meanwhile, the Philippine military trashed CPP’s request, stating they do not have authority to dictate the government which vehicles to use for the vaccine delivery./PN
