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MANILA, Philippines – Secretary of Justice Menardo Guevarra ordered an investigation into the smuggling of COVID-19 vaccines into the country, some of which went to the Presidential Security Group (PSG).
“I already instructed last Monday the head of the OIC of the NBI (National Investigation Office), Eric Distor, to immediately investigate the unauthorized distribution and administration of unregistered anti-COVID 19 vaccines, for a possible violation of the FDA Food and Drug Administration Law, the Consumer Law and the Medical Practice Law, among others, ”Guevarra told reporters.
But Guevarra clarified that the order is a “general instruction.”
“We are not focusing on PSG or any particular incident of unauthorized vaccination,” he said.
Brig. Commander of the Presidential Security Group (PSG). General Jesús Durante III said that they were the ones who requested the vaccine without the knowledge of President Rodrigo Duterte or any other government agency.
The government was criticized for the problem that a handful of the military and a cabinet secretary obtained the first data on a COVID-19 vaccine without approval from the Food and Drug Administration.
But Malacañang has already dismissed the issue, saying that the vaccine was a donation. Even the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, Eduardo Año, said there was nothing wrong with vaccinating PSG, since it was voluntary and not for commercial distribution.
Under the FDA Act of 2009, the importation of “any health product that is adulterated, unregistered or mislabeled” is among the prohibited and punishable acts. Other prohibited acts include manufacturing, exporting, selling, and distribution.
“Those convicted of the crime will be sentenced to one to 10 years in prison or a fine of 50,000 to 500,000 pesos, according to the law.
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