MANILA – The Presidential Security Group’s (PSG) decision to inject themselves with unauthorized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines only showed their dedication to protect President Rodrigo Duterte, according to spokesperson Harry Roque.
“Nagpapasalamat po kami at nagpupugay rin sa lahat ng miyembro ng PSG na nagpaturok. Maraming salamat po sa inyong katapatan, sa inyong katapangan,” Roque said in a virtual presser on Monday.
“Tingin ko po ang mensahe ng PSG ay handa silang mamatay para protektahan po ang seguridad ng ating Presidente. Magpapakamatay po sila para sa Presidente para bigyan siya ng proteksyon mula COVID-19,” he added.
While members of the PSG are willing to be investigated, Roque said the Senate must show mutual respect.
“Haharap ba ho sila sa mga imbestigasyon? Siyempre po, wala po tayong tinatago, VP Leni Robredo,” Roque told the Vice President, who over the weekend called for transparency in the PSG’s vaccination.
“Wala pong takot ang ating PSG kung papatawan sila ng parusa. Tigil na natin ang pulitika,” he added. “Hindi ko alam bakit panghihimasukan ng Senado ang seguridad ng Presidente. Mutual respect po for co-equal branches of government.”
Earlier, the PSG men drew flak after Commander Brigadier General Jesus Durante III confirmed they injected themselves with an unauthorized COVID-19 vaccine.
The Food and Drugs Administration has not yet approved any coronavirus vaccine for domestic use. The Senate is mulling to have the PSG investigated for the inoculation./PN
