By Matthew James B. Santos
 |
| PHOTO: ABS-CBN News |
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin
Lorenzana on Tuesday claimed that he supported the resolve of Armed Forces of
the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Gilbert Gapay on dropping the plan of
investigating the alleged inoculation of President Rodrigo Duterte's security
aides with "smuggled" coronavirus vaccine from China, believing the
early vaccination was "justified."
After the AFP chief reportedly canceled the investigation,
scheduled to start on January 5, on the Presidential Security Group (PSG)
vaccination issue, Lorenzana revealed that he even told Gapay at "the
start" to not conduct a probe, as it is also Duterte's wish.
“I support it. It is in compliance with the President’s
statement last night,” he said.
For him, the issue, also involving the Philippine military
getting vaccinated, was “moot and academic and we will not engage in anymore
discussion,” saying only those concerned authorities will have to take action.
“Let the concerned agencies pursue their investigations,” Lorenzana
furthered.
Admitting that the used Sinopharm vaccines were
"smuggled," and was unapproved as the Philippines has yet to procure
coronavirus vaccines, the Defense Secretary later stated that the vaccination
showed that PSG's only intent was to protect the president from infections.
PSG commander Brig. Gen. Jesus Durante III earlier stated
that his unit members were inoculated with the vaccine in September and
October, not telling the manufacturer and the source.
Recently in a Davao meeting, Duterte barred his security to
wipe their hands off on sharing information on the administering of
unregistered COVID-19 vaccine.
"I would just ask the PSG to just shut up, do not
answer. Invoke the right against self-incrimination. Do not force my soldiers to
testify against their will," Duterte warned Congress.
Furthermore, AFP spokesperson let out the same insight,
speaking in Filipino, saying the president did not want an investigation and
that it was directed at Congress or to the Senate’s plan to summon the PSG
commander in relation to the inquiry on the government’s vaccination plan.
“We should be able to read in (sic) between the lines...In
the military, we call that commander’s intent", Arevalo said.
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