THE government warned of jail time for those who will refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
“You choose, vaccine or I will have you jailed,” said President Rodrigo Duterte in his most recent national address, following reports of low turnouts at several vaccination sites in the National Capital Region.
The Chief Executive underscored the urgent need for protection as the country battles one of Asia’s worst outbreaks as shown in national data showing over 1.3 million cases and more than 23,000 deaths.
Interestingly, Duterte’s statement runs smack against what has been previously said — that vaccination is voluntary.
“Don’t get me wrong, there is a crisis in this country,” Duterte said. “I’m just exasperated by Filipinos not heeding the government.”
Since March, the government has only managed to fully vaccinate 2.1 million people, manifesting a decimated figure far from its 70 million target to reach herd immunity.