Mayor Isko says agitators caused chaos at Manila vaccination site

Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno on Thursday attributed the surge of people in one of the city’s vaccination centers to “agitators” sent by individuals with political motives.

The mayor issued the remark after thousands trooped to several vaccination sites in Manila as rumors swirled that residents will not be allowed to leave their homes and will not get cash aid if they are not vaccinated.

“Eh, mukhang napasok na tayo ng mga bata ng mga politiko, eh. Ako may duda ako, may pinanggalingan, may idea ako kung kaninong bata ‘yung mga pain, agitator,” Moreno said in a live briefing.

“May sumigaw pa daw, ayun may tao sa loob. Paano magkakaroon ng tao sa loob sa mall? Kaya sumugod ‘yung mga tao. So alam natin may agitator. Alam natin may politika ito,” he added.

An investigation conducted by the Manila Police District later showed that the crowd came from Cavite, Bulacan, Laguna, and Rizal.

According to authorities, the crowd at SM San Lazaro vaccination site reached more than 10,000; at SM Manila, over 5,000; at Lucky Chinatown, over 3,000; at Robinsons Manila, over 4,000.

Due to this, the local government suspended the vaccination at SM Lazaro.

“Alam na natin ‘yun na talagang may gustong manggulo pero no matter what, we are here for the people, not for politicians, always bear that in mind. We are in a pandemic. We take care of the people. By doing so, we are taking care of our loved ones,” he said.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) earlier said that the crowds were due to the fake news

Earlier in the day, Moreno led the opening of the Sta. Ana Hospital Dialysis Center, the third dialysis center in the city dedicated to both COVID and non-COVID patients.

The dialysis center has received a license to operate from the Department of Health (DOH), with six stations having hemodialysis machines.

The center also has new equipment including defibrillators, Electrocardiogram (ECG), cardiac monitors, and reverse osmosis machines used for COVID-19 patients.

"This is our continuing effort to reinforce, restrengthen, and really invest in healthcare facilities," Moreno said in a mix of Filipino and English in a media briefing.

Commenting anew on the influx of people in vaccination centers, Moreno said this was partly due to false pronouncements that people will not be allowed to go outside if they are not vaccinated.

"Una, hindi mo masisisi ang taongbayan dahil 'yung kaba nila sa Delta variant (You can't blame the people with their worries about the Delta variant.)," he said.

"I think nalito, natakot sila sa pronouncement ng ilang tao, 'Hindi namin kayo palalabasin, kapag hindi kayo nabakunahan hindi namin kayo bibigyan ng ayuda' (I think they got confused and worried about some pronouncements saying they will not be allowed to go outside if they are not vaccinated, they won't receive aid). I think that confused our people," Moreno added.

Moreno appealed to Manila residents planning to get inoculated to get their schedule from the city government and observe health protocols.—Joahna Lei Casilao/Jamil Santos/LDF, GMA News