MANILA, Philippines — Hindi na itutuloy ng kasundaluhan ang dapat sana'y pagsilip nila sa kontrobersyal na pagtuturok ng security detail ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ng mga bakuna laban sa coronavirus disease kahit hindi pa ito rehistrado sa Food and Drug Administration.
Basahin: Use of unregistered vaccine illegal – FDA
"AFP Chief General Gilbert Gapay called-off scheduled fact-finding investigation today on PSG vaccination in the light of the recent pronouncement of the Commander-in-Chief and President Rodrigo Duterte," ani AFP spokesperson Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, Martes.
AFP Chief General Gilbert Gapay called-off scheduled fact-finding investigation today on PSG vaccination in the light of the recent pronouncement of the Commander-in-Chief and President Rodrigo Duterte.
— Major General Edgard A Arevalo (@atty_edarevalo) January 5, 2021
Lunes kasi ng gabi nang utusan ni Digong ang kanyang security na "tumahimik" at gamitin ang "right against self-incrimination" kapag ipinatawag sila sa pagdinig ng Konggreso pagdating sa smuggled vaccine.
"[I]f they will be called to testify in Congress, my — as a lawyer, I will just tell them because they are now being accused and with the accompanying statement of prosecution and things like that," sambit ng presidente sa isang televised speed kagabi.
"And if that is the case, then I would ask the PSG to just shut up. Do not answer. Invoke the right against self-incrimination at wala kayong makukuha. And do not force my soldiers to testify against their will. At huwag ninyong i-contempt-contempt na i-detain ninyo. I do not think it will be good for you and for me. It would not be healthy for everybody."
May kaugnayan: Duterte tells PSG to 'shut up' on use of smuggled COVID-19 vaccines during probe
Pakiusap ng presidente sa lehislatura, na may kapangyarihang magpatawag ng imbestigasyon "in aid of legislation," 'wag na silang makialam lalo na't "self-defense" daw ito laban sa COVID-19.
Sa ilalim ng Republic Act 9711, o FDA Act of 2009, ipinagbabawal ang sumusunod:
"The manufacture, importation, exportation, sale, offering for sale, distribution, transfer, non-consumer use, promotion, advertisement, or sponsorship of any health product which, although requiring registration, is not registered with the FDA pursuant to this Act."
Merong parusang kulong at pagbabayarin ng multa ang mga sinasabing lalabag dito.
House, NBI probe
Kamakailan lang nang ihain ng Makabayan bloc ang House Resolution 1451 para busisiin ang paggamit ng 'di otorisadong COVID-19 vaccines, bagay na una nang tinukoy na gawa ng Chinese company na Sinopharm.
The Makabayan bloc files House Resolution 1451 to probe the Presidential Security Group's inoculation using unauthorized COVID-19 vaccines.
— ONE News PH (@onenewsph) January 5, 2021
Pres. Duterte ordered the PSG to "shut up" should they be summoned in Congress regarding the issue. (via News5/@RiaMFernandezTV) pic.twitter.com/HUclTc8QZa
Tuloy pa rin naman daw ang imbestigasyon ng National Bureau of Investigation hinggil sa isyu sa kabila ng "shut up" order ng presidente. Ito ang kinumpirma ni NBI deputy director Ferdinand Lavin sa panayam ng CNN Philippines.
Idadaan daw nila ang imbitasyon nila kay PSG chief Brig. Gen. Jesus Durante sa AFP, kahit na itingil na ng sandatahang lakas ang kanilang probe bago pa ito magsimula.
"We have yet to check how the AFP will respond to our maybe an invitation," ani Lavin.
"[T]he investigation will continue and we will build up the case on independent evidence [even if the PSG will not respond]."
May kinalaman: Pagturok ng unregistered COVID-19 vaccine sa mga tropa 'hindi iligal' — Roque
Basahin: PSG 'handang makulong' sa smuggled vaccines basta Duterte COVID-free, ani Roque
Sa kanila nito, sinabi ni Arevalo sa hiwalay na panayam ng Teleradyo na mapupunta lang sa wala ang mga imbestigasyon, kung tatanggi namang magsalita ang PSG.
"Kung ang investigation ay mag-i-include ng summons pero kung 'di naman sila dadalo at kung dadalo man sila ay they will invoke the Constitutional right to remain silent ay parang wala ring silbi 'yung investigation," ani Arevalo kanina.
Ayon sa huling ulat ng Department of Health, Lunes, umabot na sa 478,761 na ang tinatamaan ng COVID-19 sa Pilipinas. Sa bilang na 'yan, patay na ang 9,263.
— James Relativo at may mga ulat mula kina Kristine Joy Patag at Gaea Katreena Cabico