NBI assisting Nortern Samar council in vaccine transfer probe

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will assist the provincial board of Northern Samar in investigating the alleged transfer of 15 doses of Sinovac vaccine to the house of a politician, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said yesterday.

Assisting the provincial board in the investigation is within the scope of the instruction that Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra earlier issued to the NBI, the DOJ said. 

“The NBI has a standing order from the DOJ to investigate the sale or administration of COVID vaccines outside the authorized channels of distribution,” Guevarra said.

“It is ready to assist the police and the provincial board of Northern Samar in investigating the incident,” he added.

The provincial board on Friday started its investigation on allegations that 15 doses of Sinovac vaccine were taken from the Northern Samar Provincial Hospital and brought to a politician’s house in Catarman town.

The doses were allegedly used to vaccinate the members of the politician’s household including his security escorts.

The 15 doses were part of the 50 doses allocated for the scheduled vaccination on  June 10.

Only 35 doses were administered to listed recipients as the rest did not show up.